Long after the last wicket fell at Eden Gardens, one moment stood out more than any dismissal or celebration. India’s star fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah walked over to South Africa’s captain Temba Bavuma and the two shared a quiet conversation as they left the field together. It was a simple exchange but it carried weight because it came just two days after Bumrah’s remark about the height of Temba Bavuma had stirred controversy across social media.
The image of the two players talking spread quickly, especially since Jasprit Bumrah had remained unbeaten at the end of India’s innings, and still made the effort to connect with Temba Bavuma after Mohammed Siraj fell. Their chat became one of the most discussed moments of the match, overshadowing even the result.
The controversy had begun on Day 1, when the stump microphone captured Jasprit Bumrah and vice-captain Rishabh Pant using the term “bauna” while considering an LBW review against Temba Bavuma. The review was never taken and replays showed the ball would have bounced over the stumps but the word itself sparked debate. Temba Bavuma was eventually dismissed for 11 by Kuldeep Yadav and South Africa’s batting coach later said the team had no intention of escalating the issue, assuring that it would not affect the series. The conversation between Bumrah and Bavuma after the Test suggested that both the players had already moved on.
On the cricketing front, India’s chase of 124 never really got going. The composure Temba Bavuma showed earlier in the day while guiding South Africa to a defendable total was missing in the Indian innings. They collapsed to just 93 in 35 overs, made worse by the absence of their captain Shubman Gill who was hospitalised with a neck injury and unable to bat on the final day.
The pitch, which was expected to aid India’s spin trio of Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav, ended up favouring South Africa’s Simon Harmer instead. Simon Harmer delivered a match-defining performance, taking eight wickets across both innings and repeatedly troubling India’s batters on a surface that crumbled quickly.
South Africa had resumed their innings at 93 for 7, already 63 runs ahead, and stretched that lead to 153. Temba Bavuma played with patience and stability, and Corbin Bosch added a quick 25 from 37 deliveries. Their 44-run stand for the eighth wicket ate up valuable time and pushed India further into trouble.
There was also surprise over the tactical call not to use Jasprit Bumrah from the Club House End during India’s defence, the same end from which he had taken a five-wicket haul in the first innings. The decision left many puzzled, especially with the match slipping away.
But despite the tense moments, misunderstandings and a disappointing result for India, the sight of Jasprit Bumrah and Temba Bavuma walking off together offered a reminder that respect often outlasts the noise around the game.
