Temba Bavuma was the only batter to score more than fifty runs in the first Test at Kolkata. The odd ball was twisting ferociously, and the wicket was uneven and unpredictable. India needed 124 to win the Test because they had a 30-run advantage in the first innings, but they were unable to do so because of the South African captains patience, temperament, and technique, which allowed him to form partnerships with the lower order and assist South Africa reach 153. In his pivotal 55 not out off 136 balls, former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar explained Bavumas strategy.
" Temba Bavuma showed that with his short back-lift and soft hands, keeping his bat speed just slow enough so that even if the ball took the edge, it would not carry to the close-in fielder ," Gavaskar wrote in his column for Sportstar.
" He also showed admirable patience and great temperament, even when the ball went past the outside edge. In essence, it was proper Test match batting and not what modern batters do the moment they find it is not a flat pitch and the ball is doing something off it ," Gavaskar wrote.