Bavuma hailed for 'standing tall' with a gritty fifty on a tough pitch, boosting South Africa's hopes in Kolkata Test

South Africa captain Temba Bavuma stood tall on a challenging wicket at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens on Sunday as he became the first batter to score a half-century in the ongoing first Test against India. Bavuma remained unbeaten on 55 – the only batter from either team to score 40 or more runs in what has been a low-scoring affair so far – on Day 3 as South Africa were bowled out for 153 in their second essay, setting the hosts 124 to win the opening game of the two-match Test series.

The Proteas skipper collected just four boundaries in a gritty knock spanning more than three hours in which he faced 136 deliveries. And along the way, he stitched a handy 44-run partnership for the eighth wicket with all-rounder Corbin Bosch (25) – the only other batter to go past 20 in the innings.

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The reigning world Test champions had been shot out for 159 in the first innings, and were facing the prospect of getting bowled out for less than 100 in their second innings after conceding a slender 30-run lead. Bavuma’s knock and his partnership with Bosch, however, ensured the Proteas attack – which is missing spearhead Kagiso Rabada due to a rib injury – had some cushion in their quest to bowl their team to a memorable victory with.

With South Africa getting bowled out for 153 after Mohammed Siraj’s removal of Simon Harmer and Keshav Maharaj in his second over, India needed 124 runs to collect their fourth consecutive victory in the format.

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Bavuma stands tall after being made fun for his height

And what drew Bavuma even more praise was the fact that he stood tall and produced a fighting half-century despite being targeted with comments from the opposition that made fun of his height.

Star pacer Jasprit Bumrah, after all, was heard calling him a “bauna” – the Hindi word for a dwarf – while discussing the possibility of a review with wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant following an unsuccessful LBW appeal in the first innings.

Here are select reactions to Bavuma’s half-century:

No matter who wins this Test match, the real winner is Temba Bavuma for making Ravindra Jadeja bowl over the wicket to him on this pitch.

— Karthik Krishnaswamy (@the_kk) November 16, 2025

What a knock under trying circumstances by Bavuma pic.twitter.com/K5iMPMXS6b

— Kartik Kannan (@kartik_kannan) November 16, 2025

Temba Bavuma didn’t want to discuss Bumrah’s stump mic comments or take any action.

I guess he felt that ‘standing tall’ on the pitch would be most effective.

I’m rooting for India, but I really want Bavuma to score a big one. Would be a fantastic script.#indvsa #indvssa

— Dhananjay Mehendale (@FacadeKiJadd) November 16, 2025

50 runs for Temba Bavuma on the pitch where no other batter could touch 40 runs in 3 innings!!

They called him "bauna" & he didn't say a single word against any one.

But he came with a determined & focussed mind on the ground to show them the levels with his bat.

Lord Bavuma❤️ pic.twitter.com/FdMf7hu5JZ

— Rajiv (@Rajiv1841) November 16, 2025

The anchor. The answer. Bavuma. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/95eSU7SH3V

— Sunrisers Eastern Cape (@SunrisersEC) November 16, 2025

Batting average since 2021 in matches involving Bavuma-

Temba Bavuma - 50
Rest of SA top 7 - 29.3
Opposition top 7 - 27.8

This is what a carryjob looks like, on some of the toughest pitches.

— abhi (@82AtTheG) November 16, 2025