South Africa captain Temba Bavuma is looking up to New Zealand’s stunning Test series win in India as inspiration for his team’s upcoming tour. In 2024, New Zealand surprised everyone by winning all three Tests against India in Bengaluru, Pune, and Mumbai becoming the first team in decades to clean sweep India at home.
South Africa will play only two Tests on this tour, but Bavuma hopes his team can win both matches and achieve a clean sweep like New Zealand did.
“Touring India is never an easy one. So, looking at the way, New Zealand approached its business, I think it was inspiring in many ways. A lot of touring teams, a lot of away teams come to India and haven’t been successful,” said Bavuma in an interaction.
“And that’s the biggest of cricketing nations. I heard Kane Williamson is going to be here. So, I’ll definitely be asking him for tips on how they went about it,” said the South Africa skipper.
“But look, that’s going to be another big series for us. The boys will be going to Pakistan. So they’ll deal with that challenge. ”And straight after that, it’s India. And I think, like I said, for the guys who’ve been to India, we know how tough it is. But I think like any series, like any game, the opportunities are there, you know.”
“So we’ll definitely, from an ambition point of view, want to be coming out on top. But we know that we’ll need to play the best cricket. And obviously, India now, Shubman Gill, he’s taken over the reins within the test staff, and I think the ODI staff.
“So I think it’s exciting. You know, he’s a fantastic player. He’s an exciting player. And it seems as if the new era has kicked in, if I could say so. I think guys like Rohit, before him, Kohli, they’ve done their job. You know, they put India really on the top, and they’ve made India a team to really be feared.
“So I don’t think it takes anything away from what they have done for Indian cricket. I think it’s just the way the game goes. You know, at some point, the sun stops shining on you, if I could say.
He is also excited about playing against the young players on both sides.
“The younger guys, the ones that you’ve mentored, the ones that you have inspired, they take over the reins. So I’m sure India will continue to dominate. Our job as South Africans is not to allow them to dominate as much.
“But I’m sure India will continue being one of the top teams in the world,” said Bavuma.
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