South Africa's Test captain, Temba Bavuma, has placed a monumental target on his team's upcoming tour of India, stating that winning the two-match Test series would rank second only to their recent World Test Championship triumph. With the first Test set to begin at Kolkata's iconic Eden Gardens, the Proteas are staring down a significant historical challenge, having lost their last seven Tests on Indian soil.
A Mountain to Climb: South Africa's Indian Hoodoo
Bavuma did not shy away from the daunting task ahead. He openly acknowledged that South Africa has not won a Test match in India since their famous victory in Nagpur back in 2010. Across three subsequent tours, the team has faced seven consecutive defeats. "We understand the magnitude of the challenge. Some of us in the group, there have been moments of hurt. So we know what it's about," Bavuma confessed, adding a layer of personal and collective motivation for the squad.
Despite this poor record, the team carries confidence from its undefeated streak in full-strength Test series under coach Shukri Conrad since 2023. This blend of past pain and present form sets the stage for a compelling contest. Bavuma ranked the ambition clearly, saying, "I think, obviously, winning the World Test Championship... not much to trump that. But second to that, I think will be winning in India. It's something that we haven't been able to do for the longest of time. So, that's definitely up there in terms of ambition."
Preparations, Mind Games, and a Return to Eden
The South African captain, who recently returned from a long injury layoff, used the unofficial Test against India A to get back into rhythm. He scored a fifty in the second innings after an initial duck. During that warm-up match, he specifically took note of facing India's left-arm wrist spinner, Kuldeep Yadav. "I'd rather face him in the A game than here in Kolkata," Bavuma remarked. "He's not a massive turner of the ball, but he can obviously deceive you off the wicket."
In a lighthearted revelation, Bavuma shared that he tried to extract some tactical advice from New Zealand's Kane Williamson at an awards ceremony in Mumbai. New Zealand famously secured a 3-0 series victory over India last year. "I tried to ask him for some pointers," Bavuma said. "He wasn't too open about it, but he did say, make sure that you win the toss. So I've been practising it."
The return to Eden Gardens is also a return to the scene of a painful memory for Bavuma and his team, who were dismissed for a paltry 83 runs during the ODI World Cup. Reflecting on that period and the subsequent criticism, Bavuma said, "It wasn't the greatest of World Cups for me from a batting point of view. So, I can understand why the criticism came." However, he expressed a newfound confidence in his leadership, stating, "I think now I'm a lot more comfortable in my own skin. There's no case of having to prove to myself or to people back home that I'm deserving of the title. The results speak for themselves."
Beyond the 'Chokers' Tag and Looking Forward
With South Africa's traditional Boxing Day and New Year's Tests absent from this year's calendar, this India tour has taken on the significance of their festive season. "This Test series becomes our festive season," Bavuma stated, while also expressing a desire to play more Tests against top teams like India, England, and Australia, suggesting a preference for three-match series instead of two.
Addressing the perennial "chokers" label that has often haunted South African sports teams, Bavuma believes his squad has moved beyond it. He pointed to a shift in mindset back home and the team's World Test Championship victory as a turning point. "Back home, there's been a major shift in mindset towards the Proteas. I think there's a lot more appreciation now," he said. "Some of our guys weren't even born when those World Cups happened. For us, it's not something we carry. The World Test Championship win brought relief - and stronger belief that if you keep going, things are about to happen." This renewed belief will be put to the ultimate test as they begin their campaign in India.
