Bavuma looking forward to the India challenge

South Africa may well return to Test cricket as new World champion in Pakistan later this month. But Temba Bavuma, the triumphant captain, who is hoping to be fit next month for the big challenge, is already thinking about India as the team to beat in its backyard.

“That’s going to be another big series for us. The boys will be going to Pakistan, and straight after that, it’s India. We know how tough it is,” Bavuma said after being honoured for his excellence in leadership at the Ceat Cricket Awards.

“It seems as if a new era has kicked in. Guys like Rohit, before him, Kohli, they have done their job. They put India really on their mat and they’ve made India a team to really be feared. I don’t think it takes anything away from what they have done for Indian cricket. It’s just the way the game goes. At some point, the sun stops shining on you. The younger guys, the ones that you have mentored, the ones that you have inspired, they take over the reins. So I am sure India will continue to dominate. Our job as South Africa is to not allow them to dominate as much. But I am sure India will continue being one of the top teams in the world.”

Despite India having suffered its first whitewash in a three-Test series on home soil against New Zealand season, Bavuma stressed he would not be surprised to see rank turners for the two-Test series. “We won’t be in shock if we are playing on spinner-friendly wickets. Generally teams now are always using their conditions to their favour, especially with the way the World Test Championship has been set up,” Bavuma said.

“There always seems to be a difference between the way Indian spinners bowl in their own conditions versus spinners outside of India, so there is always that challenge of foreign spinners adjusting to the conditions. They are either bowling quicker in these conditions, bowling flatter.”