Bumrah's Light-Hearted Dig at Bavuma's Height Steals the Show
Indian pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah provided a moment of unexpected comedy during the first Test against South Africa at Kolkata's iconic Eden Gardens on Friday, November 14, 2025. A light-hearted comment made by Bumrah about Proteas batsman Temba Bavuma's height, picked up by the stump microphone during a DRS discussion, quickly became a viral sensation across social media platforms.
The Incident Unfolds: A Missed Appeal and a Funny Exchange
The incident occurred in the 13th over of the South African first innings, shortly after Bavuma had walked to the crease following the dismissal of opener Aiden Markram. Facing Bumrah, Bavuma, who was playing his first match since returning from an injury sustained in the World Test Championship final, seemed tentative.
Against a good length delivery from Bumrah, Bavuma missed his shot, and the ball struck him on the back thigh. An confident Bumrah immediately appealed for an LBW decision, but wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant was less convinced. It was during this strategic discussion about whether to opt for the Decision-Review System that the now-famous exchange took place.
Bumrah was heard quipping in Hindi, "Bauna bhi to hae ye," which translates to "He is a dwarf too." Pant, pointing towards the spot on Bavuma's pad where the ball had made contact, humorously countered with, "bauna hae but laga ya pe hae" ("He is a dwarf but the ball hit him here"). The Indian team ultimately decided against taking the review, a decision that was proven correct when the ball-tracking technology later showed the ball would have sailed over the leg stump.
Viral Reaction and Match Context
The amusing conversation did not escape the notice of their teammate, all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, who was seen unable to control his laughter at the funny remark. The video clip of this stump mic chatter was widely shared online, with fans and commentators alike appreciating the light-hearted moment amidst the high-intensity contest.
The event highlighted the growing trend of stump microphone recordings offering fans a raw, unfiltered glimpse into the on-field banter and discussions between players. While the match continued with its serious competitive spirit, this brief exchange added a layer of human connection and humor for the audience.
