Kolkata, Nov 16 (NationPress) South Africa's captain, Temba Bavuma, highlighted the essential lower-order collaborations with Corbin Bosch and Marco Jansen that were instrumental in securing a vital momentum for their 30-run victory against India in the opening Test at Eden Gardens on Sunday.

While defending a modest target of 124, South Africa bowled India out for 93, taking a 1-0 lead in the two-match series. Bavuma's resilient 55 not out on a challenging pitch, along with a significant 44-run partnership with Bosch and a brief 16-run collaboration with Jansen, allowed South Africa to stretch their lead to 123, marking their first Test win in India in 15 years.

“It’s incredibly thrilling. You want to engage in such exhilarating matches and, of course, come out on top. We aimed to maintain our composure. We recognized the batting would be challenging, and it proved to be tough for us, but we needed to capitalize on what was available. I believe we did that exceptionally well,” Bavuma stated.

“Fortunately, everything came together nicely. Our bowlers brought us back into the contest, and the partnership with Bosch, along with some contributions from Marco, ultimately provided the impetus we needed to perform better this morning. It wasn’t extreme, but we managed to build a partnership,” he added.

“We aimed to stay competitive. It’s not often you score 120-125 and feel it’s a winning score. It was crucial to remain in contention and keep our faith,” Bavuma remarked during the post-match presentation.

Reflecting on his batting performance, Bavuma expressed satisfaction in adapting to Indian playing conditions. “From a batting perspective, I feel confident about my technique and am not preoccupied with adjustments. I possess a solid understanding of the game and came to India intending to excel,” he explained.

“I don’t have the best record in these conditions, so I’m eager to learn and apply the nuances I’m picking up, continuing to contribute to the team,” he said.

“Adjusting my stance a bit helped in the second innings. It was an awareness of how I approached it. Luckily, I’ve played a few innings, so I understand the necessary adjustments. And of course, we all rely on a bit of luck,” he added.

Bavuma also commended the spin bowling pair of Simon Harmer and Keshav Maharaj, who played a crucial role in bowling India out for 93 following Jansen’s double-wicket burst. “We missed KG (Kagiso Rabada) today, our team leader. However, Simon and Keshav have become a formidable duo, significantly strengthening our bowling attack,” he noted.

When asked about the catch that dismissed Axar Patel, Bavuma said, “It wasn’t straightforward. I’m just pleased I managed to get a hand on it. It was a crucial moment. Axar had momentum, and we know how the Indian batters operate. When they’re on a roll, they go harder.”

“Fortunately, he made a mistake, and I was able to grab it with my small hands. Those are the moments you want to be involved in; you don’t want to leave it to someone else. You want to contribute for the team,” he concluded.