"Temba Bavuma's team deserve a salute" - Ex-India all-rounder reserves huge praise for South Africa after IND vs SA 2025 1st Test

Former India seamer Irfan Pathan heaped praise on South Africa after their stunning victory over the Asian giants in the Kolkata Test on Sunday, November 16. The Proteas beat the hosts inside three days, and Pathan felt Temba Bavuma and his team deserved a salute for how they fashioned the win.

Led by Bavuma, the tourists defended 123 as they bowled India out for 93 to register a 30-run victory and take a 1-0 lead in the two-Test series. The visiting captain was at the forefront of their win, scoring a gritty half-century in the second innings, rescuing his team from 93/7 to give a match-winning lead.

Speaking in the latest video on his YouTube channel, Pathan lavished praise on Bavuma for not only captaining well but also displaying control with the bat. He said:

"The first Test between India and South Africa lasted only three days, three days wasn’t even done. There will be conversations about the pitch but we have to accept that Temba Bavuma’s team played some outstanding cricket and they deserve a salute. There is no doubt about it. South Africa’s captain Temba Bavuma played a sensational and unbeaten knock, displayed a brilliant defensive and sweeping technique. He showed technique on a pitch where there is uneven bounce and showcased immense control."

He continued:

"In four innings where Indian batters are there too, only one player scored a half-century and it was by an overseas player on this pitch. Temba Bavuma, absolutely wonderful batting. He deserves all the praise, his captaincy is brilliant, runs the team well and revamped the entire team. Bavuma has also elevated his batting well."

In the process, Bavuma also maintained his unbeaten record as Test captain. He also captained the Proteas to the World Test Championship (WTC) final victory this year at Lord's.

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"They needed to convert their approach to aggression" - Irfan Pathan on India's gameplay

Yashasvi Jaiswal was out cheaply in both innings. (Credits: Getty)

Pathan also felt that Axar Patel's approach was the way to go in this tricky run-chase. He argued that two more batters needed to take that approach, saying:

"The way India was batting, they needed to convert their approach to aggression. According to my first-class, Test match experience and having played on turning tracks too, at least two batters out of top seven must look to keep scoring when chasing 120-130 in the fourth innings. Bowlers need to be repeatedly put under pressure because all it takes is two partnerships to finish the game. Axar Patel’s approach was there to be seen, he hit a six and a four in the same over and reached 26. But if at least two other batters had the same approach, the game would have been finished. It’s not necessary to hit aerial shots all the time, the game needs to keep moving. The batters must keep their hands loose and play with their wrists. Our skill level of playing spinners – playing with soft hands and using wrists – has come down."

The second and final Test between India and South Africa begins on November 22, in Guwahati.