Temba Bavuma slams resilient half-century in Kolkata Test: Key stats
What's the story
Temba Bavuma, South Africa's captain, played a remarkable innings of 55* runs in the third innings of the opening Test against hosts India at Kolkata's Eden Gardens. His effort came on a challenging pitch where no other batter had crossed the 40-run mark in three innings. The Eden Gardens crowd gave him a standing ovation for his resilience and composure under pressure. Meanwhile, his knock meant SA finished at 153/10 in their second innings.
Match performance
Bavuma's innings: A blend of discipline and calm
Bavuma's innings was a mix of patience and precision. He was cautious in defense, selective in leaving balls he didn't need to play, and remained unfazed by India's bowlers, who kept testing him. This knock marked his seventh 50-plus score in his last 11 Tests. Notably, the only other batter with a 15-plus score in the third innings was Corbin Bosch (25).
Match outcome
Bavuma guides South Africa to a target of 124
Bavuma's innings helped South Africa post a total of 153/10, setting India a target of 124 runs. This was just within the range Indian all-rounder Axar Patel had mentioned the previous evening when he said they would prefer a chase of no more than 125 on this pitch. Ravindra Jadeja's impressive bowling performance (4/50) kept South Africa within reach despite their defiance in the morning session. Notably, SA posted 159/10 batting first as India managed 189/10 in response.
Stats
Third Test fifty against India
Bavuma's 55*-run knock came off 136 balls (4 fours). Playing his 65th Test, the Proteas skipper has racked up 3,766 runs at an average of 38.42. His tally includes four tons and 26 half-centuries. 431 of his runs have come against India at 35.91, as this includes three fifties. Meanwhile, this was Bavuma's maiden Test fifty across 10 innings in India.
Information
1,500 runs in away Tests
With this knock, Bavuma also went past 1,500 runs in away Test matches (home of the opposition). Across 28 games in this regard, he has raced to 1,517 runs at an average of 32.27. This includes 12 fifties with a best score of 89.
Team update
India to chase without regular captain Shubman Gill
India will begin their chase without their regular captain Shubman Gill, who has been ruled out of the remainder of the Test after suffering a neck injury on Day 2. Despite this setback, Jadeja's bowling figures ensured that South Africa's total did not go out of reach. Kuldeep Yadav and Mohammed Siraj dismissed two batters each, while Jasprit Bumrah and Axar struck once apiece.