PROTEAS captain Temba Bavuma may be a little man, but he certainly is the one for the big moments.
Bavuma had brought back left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj into the attack after Aiden Markram had produced a golden-arm three-over spell. The match-up was not in Maharaj’s favour with left-hander Axar Patel still at the crease, but Bavuma was backing his gut feel.
The first ball was dispatched to the leg-side boundary where Ryan Rickelton lost sight of it in the vast Eden Gardens crowd. Worse was to follow with Patel swiping two heaving sixes off Maharaj’s next three deliveries to send the home crowd into a frenzy. India’s target was whittled down to 30 runs within four balls.
🚨 MATCH RESULT 🚨
An incredible performance from #TheProteas Men at Eden Gardens! 🏟🔥
A phenomenal turnaround as South Africa claims victory by 30 runs to go 1-0 up in the Test series! 🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/3jDrTZpCVd
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) November 16, 2025
All eyes were on Bavuma.
Had the skipper erred in tossing the ball to Maharaj? Had the momentum switched back in the favour of the home team?
Patel though wanted another piece of his fellow left-arm spinner Maharaj. He attacked again, but this time the ball went spiralling into the Kolkata smog with Bavuma the closest fielder in sight. The skipper ran back, and with 1.6 billion people all around India baying for him not to get there, he threw out his arms, to hold on to a clutch catch to dismiss Patel.
Maharaj needed just one further delivery to have Mohammad Siraj caught at slip to complete the most memorable of victories for the Proteas.
“Yeah, I mean obviously with the right-hander, Kesh comes into the game, but with the two lefties we tried to go with Aiden and Simon Homer for as long as they could or at least get a wicket,” Bavuma explained.
“Once the right-hander was exposed, I felt that Keshav was the attacking option there. Obviously, Axar, he had obviously set his intentions clear, what he was going to do with that over.
“He got a couple through, but he did give us a chance with Rickleton. Obviously, he wasn’t too happy about that, but I think this is a ground where something like that does happen with the stands and the spectators being quite low.
“But yeah, you try and keep to your wits. The decision stays a decision. It doesn’t change because of the way the other guy is batting. There was sense behind the decision, so at no point did I second guess against the decision.
“On the catch … That was not easy. Just wanted to make sure I caught the ball. Crucial moment, Axar had momentum on his side. There’s not much time to think during those moments. The ball went quite, quite high. Fortunately, he was able to make a mistake and I was able to grab it with my small hands.”
While these may have been the seminal moments in the Proteas Test side breaking their 15-year barren run in India, Bavuma’s earlier contribution with the bat was the gamechanger.
Having started the day with the slender lead of 63 runs with only three wickets remaining, Bavuma delivered an innings of the highest calibre under immense pressure. He remained composed and showed off a technique that could succeed in the most trying of circumstances.
A match-winning spell! 💥
Simon Harmer delivered an incredible return at Eden Gardens, earning him Player of the Match honours. 🤩🏅
A brilliant display from a world-class spinner! 👏 pic.twitter.com/VgDeabGLDV
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) November 16, 2025
Despite the odd ball keeping low, and others jumping off a freakish length, and the spinners gained appreciable turn, Bavuma battled through to form a 44-run partnership with overnight batter Corbin Bosch (25) as he remained unbeaten on 55 as the Proteas set India a 124-run target.
“Obviously, batting yesterday (Saturday) was quite tricky. We felt that the spin was quite more on the extreme end. Their spinners obviously don’t give you much, bowling at a quicker pace, so when it does turn, you don’t have much time to adjust,” he said.
“I am just comfortable with myself and my technique. I stand as still as I can, watch the ball. I have come here wanting to do well.
“So, coming in this morning, I think my message to the guys was always to just try and play what’s in front of you, keep your nerve, but importantly, keep the belief that the result can still go our way.”
The epic victory will be remembered as one the finest in Proteas’ Test history. It has also boosted Bavuma’s record to 10 victories out of 11 as captain, whilst averaging 969 runs at an average of 57 during this period.
It’s a record that elevates Bavuma to the pantheon of great Proteas captains, but the skipper deflected the praise upon his incredible team.
“You’re as good as your players really,” Bavuma conceded.
First Test Scoreboard
South Africa: 159 & 153
Bavuma 55*, Bosch 25, Jadeja 4/50, Sirag 2/2
India: 189 & 93 all out
Patel 26, Washington 31, Harmer 4/21, Jansen 2/15
SA win by 30 runs, lead series 1-0, Player of the Match: Simon Harmer
