South African cricket team, led by Temba Bavuma, is all set to face defending champions England in its next World Cup 2023 match at the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Saturday (October 21).

On the eve of the game, Bavuma addressed a press conference and expressed his delight on realizing a long-cherished dream.

Growing up, the Proteas skipper idolised Sachin Tendulkar and he will be leading his country in a World Cup match at the home ground of the Indian legend.

Widely regarded as one of the greatest batters of all time, Tendulkar also has a stand name after him at the Wankhede Stadium. No wonder, Bavuma is excited to play his first-ever match at this venue.  

"I think for me, growing up, idolising a guy like Sachin Tendulkar, the Wankhede was a stadium you always heard about. So, to have that opportunity to be playing, that's another tick off my list as a cricketer," Bavuma told reporters.

The South African captain further said that those who have played at the Wankhede have talked about it being a batter's paradise.

"The guys that have played here, JP Duminy, Quinton, they've spoken about how it can be a batter's paradise. You get value for your shots and the ball seems to travel further...If it is your day, you can fill your boots. And I guess just the atmosphere of it all, it being a full ground, can really be something to enjoy," he added.

Both England and South Africa are coming into this game after suffering shocking defeats against Afghanistan and Netherlands in their respective last fixtures.

Nonetheless, Bavuma said: “I think it could be one hell of a game if you’ve got two teams of this calibre who play close to their best.”

England’s ace all-rounder Ben Stokes is set to play his first match in the ongoing World Cup. He missed out on the first three games due to a hip injury.

"A fully fit Ben Stokes obviously does strengthen the England team," said Bavuma. "He is an X-factor player, he's the guy that can change the course of the game...There's a lot respect for him, we know what he can do."

Chasing 246 to win against Netherlands, South Africa’s innings folded for 207 in 42.5 overs. It was a listless batting performance as no one managed to hit a half-century. David Miller was the top scorer with 43.

Bavuma rued the missed opportunities on the field, which allowed the Dutch side to rack up a fighting total despite reeling at 140/7 in the 34th over.

"We got them to 140-7 and then that's where the wheels fell off. I think we were put under pressure in the death period. And I think how we've bowled within the death hasn't been at our best,” said Bavuma.

"And then I think from a batting point of view, probably our biggest misdemeanour as the batters is that we took that negative energy from the field. So, I think there's specific areas that we've identified that we want to be better at."

(With AFP Inputs)