Sachin Tendulkar and Temba Bavuma (Agency Image)
The South African skipper’s 179, which came off 334 balls, was his highest Test score, surpassing his previous best of 172 against the West Indies in 2023. I think looking at the situation of the game, and I think personally as well, I found myself a lot in those type of situations, coming in early, trying to manage myself to kind of scramble through to a 50 or 60, but I think what was nice and the ability just to take it even further and make it count,” he said. South Africa captain Temba Bavuma has revealed how batting great Sachin Tendulkar has influenced his technique, explaining how he has tried to adapt the Indian legend’s approach to suit his own game.
Asked about the similarities between his technique and that of Tendulkar, one of his heroes, Bavuma said he had consciously tried to incorporate aspects of the former India batter’s approach, particularly his movement and ability to play the ball close to his body. I try to play the ball as close to my body as possible,” Bavuma said. “Yeah, I mean, I try to emulate my technique to his. I mean, I’m obviously not a big guy. I’m not really going to get any big strides in. I try to be efficient in terms of my movement. Sometimes it gets me into trouble. But I think for me, that’s generally what works. He admitted that the innings was particularly satisfying given his recent struggles to find rhythm. “Yeah, definitely one of my better ones.
Bavuma’s innings was supported by Marco Jansen ‘s 85 and Simon Harmer ‘s 82, with the latter adding 183 runs with the captain.
Praising their contributions, Bavuma said both batters played important roles in turning the innings around.
But yeah, I was glad I was able to put in a good contribution for the team,” he said. Yeah, I was just trying to go into the nets and just trying to find the feeling that I kind of had last year,” Bavuma said. “So, I mean, we got a taste of it in the first Test, and we kind of knew what was up for us. So I think for me, obviously not being able to contribute from the first Test and then coming in here in the second Test, I think that was a big thing on my mind. It can be a bit tricky when you haven’t played for months.