Temba Bavuma Reflects on Facing Rohit Sharma Since 2007 T20 World Cup

South Africa's cricket captain Temba Bavuma has expressed his thoughts on the longstanding rivalry with India, particularly highlighting the experience of Indian players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Speaking before the second One Day International (ODI) in Raipur, Bavuma acknowledged that while facing these seasoned cricketers is not new for his team, their skills undeniably enhance India's competitive edge.

In the opening ODI of the three-match series, India achieved a 17-run victory, with Kohli scoring his 52nd ODI century and Sharma contributing a solid 57 runs. Bavuma remarked during a press conference that the presence of such experienced players strengthens the Indian squad. "The inclusion of those two guys bolsters the team. Like we said at the start of the series, these are two guys who have a lot of experience and a lot of skill, and that can only benefit the team," he stated.

Reflecting on his early memories of Rohit Sharma, Bavuma shared, "We played against Rohit… I think it was in 2007, the T20 World Cup, I was still in school then. I mean, these guys have been around, so there is nothing new. These are world-class players." This nostalgic reminiscence showcases the long-standing presence of Sharma in international cricket, as well as the evolution of Bavuma's own career.

Bavuma further explained that competing against players of such calibre only adds to the excitement of the series. "We have come across it. We have been on the bad end of it. But we have also had good times against them. It all just makes the series a lot more exciting," he commented.

The South African captain also addressed the recent controversy surrounding head coach Shukri Conrad's comments, indicating that he did not feel the need to clarify the situation. "No, I don't think it is distracting and no it’s not for me to clarify," Bavuma said.

Additionally, Bavuma praised the performance of all-rounder Marco Jansen, who scored a rapid 70 runs off 39 balls in the first ODI. "From an all-rounder point of view, I don't know where the rankings sit, but I am sure Marco Jansen, in any one of the formats will definitely be in a top 10. He is only growing into his own and becoming a lot more comfortable under his skin," he noted.

Despite the loss in the opening match, Bavuma remains optimistic about his team’s prospects. He pointed out that the Proteas were only 17 runs short of victory, suggesting that the teams were closely matched. "India played well, their two stalwarts stood up, but we were not too far off," he added.

Looking ahead, Bavuma expressed a desire for more Test cricket against top nations, stating that players are eager for longer series to challenge themselves. "All of us have been crying for more cricket especially against the top nations... Those are for, I guess, the people in suits, the Cricket South Africa," he said, adding with a smile that some players may prefer those series sooner rather than later, given their age.

As the second ODI approaches, South Africa aims to level the series, focusing on strategies to counter the formidable batting duo of Sharma and Kohli.