South African limited-overs captain Temba Bavuma reckons winning Test and ODI series against India will do a world of good for their young team.
The Proteas won the Test series by 2-1 whereas they whitewashed the visitors by 3-0 in the ODI series as they were clinical with their performances.
After an impressive performance against the Indian team, Bavuma feels South Africa is making good strides as a team. In fact, India was favorites for the Test series but the home side was able to come up with a collective effort.
Meanwhile, South Africa won the final ODI by four runs at the Newlands, Cape Town. The Proteas posted a fighting total of 287 runs after Quinton de Kock scored a fine knock of 124 runs whereas Rassie van der Dussen continued his good form as he scored 52 runs.
Bavuma was delighted with the performance of the team as they were able to come up with a collective effort and believe the team has grown in confidence by performing against a top team like India.
In fact, Bavuma stated that not many people had put their money on them before the start of the series as the Indian team were favorites for both the Test as well as the ODI series.
Temba Bavuma said in the post-match presentation, “Got a bit crazy at the end. Probably the complacency got to us. Guys tried a couple of things that didn’t come off. Very satisfying, mission accomplished for us. Many people didn’t give us much of a chance. Hope through our performances, we’ve been able to get a couple of supporters. Making good strides as a team. Challenge is to get better and better. Quinton’s been great. Rassie as well with the bat. He’s been tremendous. His game starting to move to the next level. Bowling’s been decent. This was a big challenge, a big obstacle in our journey”.
He added, “To come out the way we did – winning Tests, winning ODIs convincingly will do a world of good. What pleased me most – if you look at the Test series, feel like it’s the hardest series I’ve been part of.
Indian bowlers asking questions regularly. Even in the field the intensity. Physically we’ve been challenged – it’s been very hot the last couple of weeks. These conditions weren’t exactly South African like – more like the subcontinent. Always nice to contribute to the team. Enjoying my batting at the moment. Things are okay at the moment”.
South Africa will be delighted to come up with a dominating performance against India and they are definitely moving in the right direction as a unit. There were a lot of positives for the Rainbow nation as a lot of young players were able to perform at their best.
South Africa will next second tour New Zealand for two-Test match series.
