Paul Harris marks Temba Bavuma's return critical for Proteas in India: He's our best player

Former spinner Paul Harris believes Temba Bavuma’s return to the Test side is a major boost to the Proteas’ chances in the upcoming two-match series against India. 

The World Test champions face arguably their greatest challenge since head coach Shukri Conrad assumed control of the red-ball side back in February 2023, with the first Test starting at the citadel of Indian cricket, Eden Gardens, on Saturday. 

The Proteas have only ever won one series in India, all the way back in February 2000, when the late Hansie Cronje’s team claimed a historic 2-0 triumph. 

Equally, they have lost seven of their last eight Test matches in India, with the last victory being in Nagpur 15 years ago, when Proteas legends Dale Steyn and Hashim Amla combined with a 10-wicket match haul and an unbeaten 253 to drive the visitors to an innings-and-six run win. 

This is the history that the Proteas will be up against, and Harris believes Bavuma’s return from injury will go a long way in aiding the cause.

“We need Temba back,” said Harris, who claimed three second innings wickets in the Nagpur victory. 

“His injuries are very worrying. For me, because he's our best player. He's our most consistent player over the last two to three years. He gives us stability.

“He's obviously improved immensely. He's always had a decent technique. But he found ways of getting in and getting out. He would get 50, 60, and get out. But a lot of the times he was batting at the tail, so, it was difficult.

“But, I mean, in the last two years, he's been by far our most consistent player. And he gives us that structure. He gives us that element of someone like (Jacques) Kallis that just stays there and doesn't get out, which you need in a Test match arena.”

Bavuma is expected to slot straight back into his No 4 position in Kolkata after recovering from a calf injury that ruled him out of the recent Pakistan series. The skipper has been in India preparing for the Test series, where he played for the South Africa ‘A’ side in the second ‘Test’ in Bengaluru over the weekend.

Although he suffered a first-ball duck in the first innings, Bavuma spent valuable time at the crease second time around, facing 101 balls for his 59 that helped South Africa ‘A’ memorably chase down 417 against an India ‘A’ attack consisting of Test bowlers Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna and Kuldeep Yadav.

Harris feels this should fill the Proteas Test side’s batters with confidence that they are able to score runs in India, even though they don’t possess the “world beaters” of yesteryear. 

“I saw that. I mean, that was crazy. Just incredible,” Harris said of the SA ‘A’ run-chase before continuing: “I think it's a strange Test side we've got here. It seems like we don't have any world beaters with a bat, but we all seem to jump in. And manage to get some runs.

“A lot of credit has got to go to Shuks and his leadership style. Because, I think he's found a way to bring this Test team together without having superstars.

“It seems like they all play for each other. You know, if the top order doesn't succeed, then the bottom order comes in and the tail gets some runs. 

“And then, you know, if we get the runs, we're proving we've got the bowlers to be able to bowl anyone out anywhere. So, it's quite exciting.”