Legendary India cricketer Sunil Gavaskar was among those who led the praise for Bavuma. Gavaskar likened Bavuma’s on-field demeanour and resilient batting ability to former India cricketer Ajinkya Rahane , as well as to his own former India teammate Gundappa Vishwanath. South Africa captain Temba Bavuma earned tremendous appreciation from the cricket fraternity after his match-winning 179 against Australia in the second Test in Gqeberha.
In a recent column, Gavaskar wrote how Bavuma isn’t a “chest-thumper”, but has admirably led South Africa in Tests.
With South Africa down 0-1 in the series and tottering at 110/6 in the second Test in Gqeberha, Bavuma slammed a phenomenal 179 to bail his side out of trouble. South Africa ended up winning the rain-affected match by an innings and 31 runs, cementing Bavuma’s innings as one of the all-time great Test knocks.
“Bavuma’s appointment as captain of the South African team came with the usual nudge nudge wink wink accusations of quota selection but over the years he has proven a terrific leader which is different from being a captain and with his own performances has made his doubters eat their own dirty words,” Gavaskar wrote, in his column for Mid-day .
