IND vs SA | Lower-order batsmen scoring tough runs dents ego, admits Temba Bavuma
Temba Bavuma had heaps of praises for the resistance shown by Maharaj and Philander in their 109-run partnership where they schooled their top-order batsmen on how to bat with application. Earlier in the day, the Proteas suffered a top-order collapse, with Bavuma himself managing to score just 8.
It was a familiar story for South Africa as their top order crumbled once again, this time to a lethal spell from Umesh Yadav and Mohammad Shami. When Faf du Plessis was dismissed with the score reading 162, it seemed curtains on South Africa's challenge to save the Test and thus the series.
But then came the amazing partnership between Maharaj, who had a broken shoulder, and Philander, who couldn't score a single run in this series before this innings. Their partnership was an eye-opener for the Proteas top-order on how to apply themselves for batting longer periods of time in such conditions and Temba Bavuma admitted the same.
"From the guys at the top of the order, the batters, the guys who are entrusted with scoring the bulk of the runs, it does kind of hurt, it does dent your ego when they [lower order] seem to know how to go out and fight it out to do what you're really playing to do," Bavuma said in the press conference after the end of the day's play, reported Sportstar.
"It was a spectacular effort from Vernon and Keshav to fight it out there in the middle and face as many balls as they did and still accumulate runs. I mean, us in the change room and on the sides, we were enjoying it. We were feeding from the confidence they were giving us," he further added
Bavuma also said that the partnership was not at all about only lofted shots and risks, citing the periods of play where they had to fight it out without giving their wickets away. Bavuma revealed that the proper balance they showed between defence and attack left the top-order batsmen mighty impressed.
"You saw the balance between the defence and the attacking shots. That's something we've been speaking about as batters. That's what we are aiming to do. I think the mood is definitely positive and has been positive, to be honest. It was enjoyable to watch," Bavuma said.
The middle-order batsman also added that the Maharaj-Philander partnership also helped bring positivity in the South African dressing room atmosphere, but admitted that they will have their work cut out on Days 4 and 5 in an attempt to save the Test and subsequently the series.
"There's a lot of positives to take. This is definitely a confidence booster. Keshav is the big player in the team, obviously Vernon as well. For big players, for senior players to step up when the occasion arises is definitely something we can stick out our chest on.
"Like I said, over the next two days we are going to need a lot more of that... with the ball, with the bat, in every department, we are going to need guys to put up their hand and no matter which way the result goes, we will show that our pride is intact," Bavuma signed off.
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