South Africa captain Temba Bavuma believes that the upcoming five-match T20I series against India will be crucial for his side to play together for the first time since the ICC Men's T20 World Cup in UAE last year.
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Both India and South Africa were eliminated in the Super 10 stage of the last World Cup although Proteas had a stronger competition, winning four of their five games and narrowly missing out on the semifinals due to a low net run rate.
The upcoming T20I series, which runs from June 9 to June 19, would be a great way for both South Africa and India to prepare for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup in Australia later this year.
After winning 2-0 in October 2015 and a series draw in September 2019 (1-1), the Proteas will play a bilateral T20I series on Indian soil for the third time.
“These games (five matches against India) are definitely important. As a T20 squad, It’s the first time we’ll be together since the World Cup. I guess just that experience of being together, us reminding ourselves of the good things that we did, how we go about playing cricket, and also seeing the new faces that are within the squad, to see how those guys can come in and add value. That’s an exciting prospect," Bavuma was quoted as saying by The Cricket Monthly.
Temba, 32, stated that if his team is to win the tournament, they must strengthen their batting order.
“If we can get better from our previous showing, we can achieve anything. But realistically there is stuff that we need to do. If I look at our bowling attack, it can be seen as one of the best around. Probably with the batting there’s a bit more we need to add in terms of competing with the best.
“A bit more consistency at the top. The guys in the middle played quite well. Guys stepped up at different moments within games, within series. From a batting point of view, we need more at the top."
The 32-year-old admitted he hadn't seen much of IPL 2022 but was glad to see his teammates have an opportunity to compete.
“It’s nice to see some of our guys doing well. KG (Kagiso Rabada) en route to being the quickest to 100 wickets. Quicker than (Lasith) Malinga. That’s something to be proud of. And Marco Jansen — how he has gone and performed. Or Aiden (Markram).
“And even the younger guys who have showed their ability. There is a lot of talk about Dewald Brevis. He is an exciting prospect for our cricket. And Tristan Stubbs, getting a go. It’s been nice to see those guys."
When asked if he intended to play in the IPL, the right-hander said he wanted to have a taste of life in the spectacular T20 competition. He also mentioned that he has developed a fantasy of leading an IPL team one day.
“I’d like to play there. The stronger my performances, the more realistic the opportunity becomes. I’ve also developed this fantasy of captaining a team. I don’t know where that comes from. I’d like to get that experience as well. But I kinda need to get into a team before that happens!"
(THE CRICKET MONTHLY INPUTS)
