"Was able to grab it with my small hands": Temba Bavuma on stunning catch to dismiss Axar Patel in Kolkata

South Africa National Cricket Team captain Temba Bavuma guided his team to a historic victory over the India National Cricket Team in the Test series opener at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

Temba Bavuma led the Proteas from the front and helped the side register their first Test win in India in 15 years as South Africa clinched a 30-run victory at the iconic venue.

Fortunately, things have worked out quite well - Temba Bavuma

India entered the match against the Proteas as red-hot favorites, being the home team. However, a poor performance with the bat saw them suffer an embarrassing loss.

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The pitch at the Eden Gardens became a big topic of discussion because it offered a lot of help to the spinners from Day 1, and eventually the match got finished in two and a half days as India were unable to chase down 124 runs.

Temba Bavuma, who was the only half-centurion in the match, during the post-match presentation ceremony, said that they were quite fortunate to win the match. He stated:

"Very exciting. you want to be a part of those types of games and obviously be on the right side of the result. I think we tried to hold our ground as much as we could. We knew it was going to be tough with the bat, it was tough for us, but we needed to exploit what was there. I think we guys did that beautifully. Fortunately things have worked out quite well."

Our bowlers got us back into the game - Temba Bavuma

Temba Bavuma credited the South African bowlers for bringing the visitors back into the game and stated:

"Our bowlers got us back into the game, but that partnership with Bosch, I think a little bit with Marco as well, at the end of the day, just gave a little bit of impetus that we could play a little bit better this morning. It wasn't as extreme, but we were able to get a partnership. We tried to stay in the game as much as we could. It's not every time that you score 120-125 and you feel that that's a winning score. It was just a case of staying in the game and to keep believing."

Temba Bavuma also talked in detail about his batting technique and how it helped him to succeed in tough batting conditions. He elaborated:

"You're as good as your players really. Some of the bad stats, I give it to the players. From a batting point of view, I'm just comfortable with myself, with my technique, not to worry about triggering and all those type of things. I have a decent understanding of the game. I've come here to India wanting to do well. I don't have the greatest of records when it comes to these conditions.

"So it's a bit of that exuberance on my side to see myself learning these conditions and implement all the little things that I'm trying and keep contributing for the team. Opening up the leg a little bit (helped in the second innings). It was just an awareness the way I played it. Fortunately, I have played a few innings, so I understand a little bit of adjustments that you need to make. And luck, we all need luck."

It wasn't easy - Temba Bavuma on catch to dismiss Axar Patel

The turning point of the match on Day 2 was when Axar Patel got dismissed while batting brilliantly out in the middle. In the 36th over, he had smashed Keshav Maharaj for a four and a couple of sixes, but then got out on the fifth ball as Temba Bavuma took a stunning catch running backwards.

Talking about the catch, Temba Bavuma said that it was not at all easy and he was fortunate to hold onto the ball with his small hands. He said:

"(On the catch to dismiss Axar) It wasn't easy. I'm just glad I got a hand to it. Crucial moment again. Axar, he had momentum on his side and we kind of know how the Indian batters play. When they have momentum, they go even harder. So fortunately, he was able to make a mistake. I was able to grab him with my small hands. Those are those moments that you want to be a part of. You don't want to give it to someone else. You want to be doing it for the team."

Also Read: India hit historic low under Gautam Gambhir, set worst-ever batting record after Kolkata Test loss