'India’s Bowling Is...,’ Temba Bavuma On Jasprit Bumrah & Co. Ahead Of Boxing Day Test
Temba Bavuma will be back in action. (AP)
Ahead of the two-match Test series between two cricketing giants, South Africa’s skipper Temba Bavuma acknowledged his team's improved understanding of conditions but pointed out the formidable challenge posed by India's all-round bowling attack.
India is gearing up for a challenging Test series against South Africa, with the first match scheduled to commence at SuperSport Park in Centurion on Tuesday, followed by the final clash at Newlands in Cape Town on January 3.
Bavuma highlighted India’s remarkable success in Test cricket in the last few years, attributing it to the strength of their bowling unit. He emphasized the need for South Africa to navigate this challenge effectively, indicating that the outcome of the upcoming battle would hinge on the performance of their batters.
"We understand conditions a lot better so you'd expect us to adapt a lot better but their bowling is quite strong. The fact that they've been able to achieve such success is because of their bowling attack and that kind of nullifies the advantage we have. It's more between the batters and how the batters take on that challenge," Temba Bavuma told reporters.
Reviewing India's historical performance in South Africa, the team has encountered 23 matches on South African soil, securing victory in only four encounters while conceding 12 to the Proteas. The Rainbow Nation has often been dubbed the "final frontier" for Indian teams, a label that gained prominence during the 2022 tour.
Proteas proud of their home record
South Africa boasts a strong track record against India, winning seven out of eight Test series during India's tours, with one series ending in a draw. While India has celebrated memorable victories, such as their inaugural win in South Africa under Rahul Dravid's captaincy in 2006, the team has struggled to secure successive wins, especially in the challenging conditions posed by South Africa.
“There’s a lot of pride that we’ve been able to keep that record intact. It’s quite nice that I was part of one of those teams that achieved that. Now in a different role as captain, you want to make sure you play your part. Looking at our Test team, it’s still in a discovery phase. We’re still a team in building, with a lot more new faces in the team. I don’t think there’s any extra pressure on the players [to play a certain way]. We want to strive to play an attractive, winning brand of cricket,” added Bavuma.
As the Proteas prepare for the first Test, there is a hope that fast bowlers Kagiso Rabada and Lungi Ngidi will be available for selection. The duo showcased their full bowling prowess in practice sessions, signaling their readiness for the upcoming Test against India, set to kick off in Pretoria on Tuesday. This availability is crucial for South Africa as they aim to maintain their strong record against India in their home conditions.
 "Vaibhav Tripathi")
