"Nor do they have an army of PR" - Sunil Gavaskar compares Temba Bavuma to former India captain amid SA vs AUS 2026 Tests

Former Indian opener Sunil Gavaskar praised South African skipper Temba Bavuma for his stellar yet often understated leadership, similar to former Team India captain Ajinkya Rahane. Bavuma scored an incredible 179 in the Proteas’ series-levelling innings victory in the second Test against Australia at Port Elizabeth.

South Africa have thrived under Bavuma in Tests, winning 12 of 14 matches with a lone defeat and clinching the 2025 World Test Championship (WTC) title. Meanwhile, Rahane boasted a similarly impressive captaincy record for India across formats, winning eight out of 11 games with a lone defeat.

Comparing Bavuma with Rahane in his column for the Mid-Day, Gavaskar wrote:

"His (Bavuma) record of winning 12 out of the 14 Tests he has captained the Proteas and losing only the first Test of the series is as stellar a record as that of Ajinkya Rahane under whom India never lost a Test. Both are not chest-thumpers, nor do they have an army of PR to try and influence the world as to how good they are."

Gavaskar further praised Bavuma, saying:

"Bavuma’s appointment as captain of the South African team came with the usual nudge nudge wink wink accusations of quota selection, but over the years he has proven a terrific leader, which is different from being a captain, and with his own performances has made his doubters eat their own dirty words."

Bavuma has also thrived with the bat as Test captain, averaging over 54 with four centuries in 24 innings.

"Demeanor on the field reminds so much of Gundappa Viswanath" - Sunil Gavaskar praises Temba Bavuma

Sunil Gavaskar further praised Temba Bavuma's on-field demeanor, comparing it to that of his former Indian teammate, Gundappa Viswanath. Viswanath is one of India's most accomplished Test batters, amassing over 6,000 runs in 91 matches at an average of almost 42 with 14 centuries.

"Bavuma’s demeanor on the field reminds so much of the much-loved and admired Gundappa Viswanath, who showed that to be a tough cricketer one doesn’t have to swear and rage against the world," said Gavaskar (via the aforementioned source).

Bavuma will look to lead South Africa to another series win as the 1-1 tied three-match series against Australia heads to a deciding Test in Cape Town, starting October 27.

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