Bavuma has a 'heart like a giant', says South Africa coach Conrad amid controversy over Bumrah’s height taunt

Temba Bavuma let his bat and his captaincy skills do the talking after being subjected to mean taunts regarding his height as he led South Africa to a memorable 30-run victory in the first Test against India in Kolkata on Sunday. And speaking to reporters after their victory – South Africa’s first in a Test on Indian soil in 15 years – Proteas head coach Shukri Conrad described Bavuma as someone who has a “heart like a giant”.

“Thankfully, he has got a heart like a giant,” Conrad said in the post-match press conference.

Pacer Jasprit Bumrah and wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant were heard describing Bavuma as a “bauna” (dwarf) while debating over an unsuccessful LBW appeal on Day 1 of the first Test in Kolkata. Bumrah, in fact, was heard using that term twice while discussing his height, as if to suggest that the ball might still be hitting the stumps even if it hit high on his pad and that they could go for a review.

Bavuma responds to height remark in his own style

South African captain Bavuma, who had led the Proteas to victory in the ICC World Test Championship final against Australia at Lord’s in June, did not react to the comment after the day’s play. Instead, he would produce a game-changing half-century during South Africa’s second innings that helped India post 153 in their second essay and set India a tricky target of 124. Bavuma remained unbeaten on 55 off 136 deliveries , collecting four boundaries during his knock that lasted three hours.

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The Indians, who were without captain Shubman Gill for a majority of the game due to a neck spasm with Pant taking over as the skipper, were bowled out for 93 in reply . They had collected a slender 30-run lead on Day 2 after getting bowled out for 189, despite staring at a sizeable first innings lead at 75/1.

And they barely got going in their chase after losing openers Yashasvi Jaiswal (0) and KL Rahul (1) cheaply, both getting dismissed by tall, left-arm quick Marco Jansen who made excellent use of the new ball.

Besides Bavuma’s gritty half-century and Jansen’s new-ball heroics, the tour opener at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens was headlined by veteran off-spinner Simon Harmer, who was adjudged the Player of the Match for collecting four wickets in each innings (4/30 and 4/21).