South African skipper Temba Bavuma conceded that the seasoned duo of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma adds significant strength to the Indian cricket team, following the hosts' victory in the series opener. India secured a 17-run win in the first ODI of the three-match contest at home, largely powered by the two veterans.
Bavuma Acknowledges Indian Veterans' Calibre
Speaking ahead of the second ODI at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Stadium, Bavuma highlighted that the inclusion of such world-class players naturally bolsters the side. Virat Kohli hammered his 52nd ODI century, while Rohit Sharma contributed a brisk 57, setting up India's commanding total. "The inclusion of those two guys does bolster the team," Bavuma stated. "These are two guys who have a lot of experience and a lot of skill, and that can only benefit the team. It is not something that we are not aware of."
Reflecting on their long careers, Bavuma shared a personal anecdote about Rohit Sharma's early days. "We played against Rohit… I think it was in 2007, the T20 World Cup. I was still in school then. These guys have been around, so there is nothing new. These are world-class players," he recalled. He added that competing against such stalwarts is what makes the series thrilling, noting that South Africa has had both good and bad experiences against them.
Focus on the Contest and Team Morale
Despite the loss, Bavuma insisted the gap between the teams was narrow. "We were 17 runs short of them... India played well, their two stalwarts stood up, but we were not too far off," he analysed. He also took a moment to praise his all-rounder Marco Jansen for his explosive 39-ball 70 in the first match, suggesting Jansen is rapidly growing into a top-ten all-rounder across formats.
The Proteas captain also brushed aside the controversy surrounding head coach Shukri Conrad's recent use of the word "grovel," stating it was not a distraction and required no clarification from him.
Bavuma's Call for More High-Stakes Cricket
Looking beyond the ongoing ODI series, Bavuma expressed a strong desire for more extensive bilateral series, especially in Test cricket against top nations like India. "All of us have been crying for more cricket, especially against the top nations," he said, adding that the decision rests with "the people in suits" at Cricket South Africa.
With a light-hearted note on the ageing squad, Bavuma quipped, "Some of us are getting a little bit old, so we're not going to go too long to make another four-match Test series against India." The focus now shifts to the second ODI, scheduled for Wednesday, where South Africa will aim to level the series.
