Temba Bavuma hopeful of exciting T20I series amid extreme Delhi heat

South African captain Temba Bavuma has shared his worry about Delhi's extreme heat as he believes it will be the toughest challenge for them as they are preparing to face India in a five-match T20I series, starting on June 9. However, Delhi has recorded a maximum temperature of 44 degrees Celsius on Wednesday and is expected to be more or less similar on Thursday.

However, this is the third time South Africa will play a bilateral T20I series against India after October 2015 (won 2-0 by the Proteas) and September 2019 (drawn 1-1). Notably, earlier this year, South Africa won the Test series 2-1 and the ODI series 3-0 on their home soil.

"We expected it to be hot obviously, but not this hot. I thing we are fortunate that the games are played at night, because at night it is bearable. But during the day the guys are trying to look after themselves as much as possible. Drink a lot more water. Keep mentally fresh as they can," said Bavuma during the pre-match press conference.

"It is just coping with the heat to be honest. It is not something we are used to back home. Hydration, cramping and fatiguing are big things. You can only get used to it by playing in this type of heat. We have to hydrate ourselves and manage our energies as well as we can," he further added.

When he was asked about the India-South Africa series, Temba Bavuma said they managed to win over India earlier too. This time too, they are hopeful, considering Team India will play with a relatively different side. Notably, the team won't get the service of key players like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah and Kuldeep Yadav. They will also play under a young captain in Rishabh Pant.

The South African captain said, "It's an exciting series for both India and South Africa. We were able to get the better of the Indian side a couple of months ago but I think this is a different looking team, lot of younger, fresher faces within their team. Guys who have a big point to prove, guys who want to stake a claim for their position within the Indian team."

"They will not be short of motivation, so from our side as a team we won't be expecting anything easy, we are not thinking that everything is going to happen the same way as it happened in South Africa back home. We have to play good cricket, prepare well which we have done."

However, the captain was also asked about the top order and said they are working on that area. He also shared that he will open alongside their swashbuckling opener, Quinton de Kock.

"Within our batting lineup, that is the area we would like to create more solidity in. Quinton and I will open and look to extend that through to the World Cup. The middle-order guys are quite settled. We have got a young guy in Stubbs who will get an opportunity at some stage. We would like to see how can be of value," he concluded.