“Temba Bavuma doesn’t get the recognition he deserves as a captain” - Ex-Indian spinner heaps praise on SA Test captain

Former Indian spinner and analyst Anil Kumble has heaped praise on the South African Test captain, Temba Bavuma, for producing a batting masterclass on a wicket that was quite tough for batters to score runs in the first Test against India at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

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For the unversed, Bavuma emerged as the lone batter to score a half-century in the first Test of the two-match series, showcasing his exceptional batting ability on a pitch that offered uneven bounce right from the first day of the game.

Speaking exclusively on JioHotstar, Kumble also asserted that Bumrah doesn’t usually get the recognition he deserves as a captain, adding that he has won 10 out of 11 Tests as a captain and went on to clinch the WTC mace for South Africa, defeating Australia. 

“Credit to Temba Bavuma, he doesn’t get the recognition he deserves as a captain. He has won 10 out of 11 Test matches as skipper for South Africa and has won a (World) Test Championship for them. He doesn’t get the kind of credit other international captains receive. As a batter, too, he has produced two quality innings, one in the WTC final and one here, literally back-to-back since he wasn’t available for Pakistan. He has done exceptionally well both as a player and a skipper,” Kumble told the Cricket Live show on JioHotstar. 

Furthermore, Kumble also lauded Bavuma for his clever usage of bowlers throughout the fourth innings. While Washington Sundar looked settled against Simon Harmer, Bavuma brought in Aiden Markram to pick up his wicket, which turned the game’s complexion. 

“I thought he did really well in bringing on Aiden Markram when there were two left-handers at the crease. Washington Sundar had a good look at Simon Harmer and seemed comfortable. And maybe that one over from Keshav Maharaj, I felt that was where he got the wrong bowler on, because Axar was certainly taking him on. But he took a gamble that ultimately paid off. It cost South Africa 16 runs, but it paid off. Overall, I thought his usage of bowlers was excellent. He never used Wiaan Mulder at all in the innings. He ensured that the tall Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, and the two spinners along with the smart use of Markram were enough,” Kumble observed.

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