Proteas captain Temba Bavuma says his match-defining half-century at Eden Gardens was built on old-fashioned patience and trust in his defence.

The Proteas pulled off a famous 30-run victory over India in the first Test on Sunday.

Bavuma produced the only fifty of the match – a crucial 55* off 136 balls – on a pitch that he said offered “all sorts of behaviour”.

“Some balls were bouncing nicely, others were squatting,” he explained. “It made the cross-batted shots harder, but I’ll always back my defence.”

South Africa resumed on 91-7 on day three and Bavuma found valuable support in Corbin Bosch, the pair adding 44 for the eighth wicket to push the visitors to 153. It proved just enough.

“From an experience point of view, if you can be successful in some way as a batter in these conditions, it does a lot for your confidence,” he said, as the Proteas look ahead to Saturday’s series decider in Guwahati.

While Bavuma praised the gritty nature of the contest, India coach Gautam Gambhir was far less forgiving of his own players after they were bundled out for 93 chasing 124.

“There were no demons in this wicket,” Gambhir insisted. “It was not unplayable. It was a wicket where your technique can be judged, your mental toughness challenged, and your temperament exposed.”

HIGHLIGHTS: India vs Proteas (1st Test, Day 3)

Only Washington Sundar (31 off 92) showed resistance as Simon Harmer spun India into trouble with 4-21.

“The point is that you should know how to play turn,” Gambhir said. “And this is what we asked for and what we got. I still believe 124 was chaseable.”

With young batsmen filling India’s order and captain Shubman Gill absent due to a neck injury, Gambhir said Test cricket demands far more than skill.

“There are a lot of youngsters in that dressing room, but in Test cricket you need mental toughness,” he added.

– AFP

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