Proteas' Temba Bavuma returns for 'huge' India Tests but no room for Bedingham

As if Pakistan were not handful enough, the Proteas’ next Test assignment looms large with mighty India awaiting the arrival of the ICC World Test champions with bated breath. 

The home team are treating the two-match series as a world championship heavyweight title bout with Shubnam Gill’s team eager to show everyone that cares to listen that the Proteas’ capture of the WTC mace back in June was more due to favourable fixture scheduling than actual performance.

The Proteas have shown though they are worthy champions, meeting every challenge that is put before them, particularly after last week’s first Test win in Pakistan for 18 years. But even coach Shukri Conrad was forced to admit the upcoming two Tests in Kolkata and Guwahati will indeed be his burgeoning team’s ultimate challenge, especially as the Proteas last won a Test in India 15 years ago.

“Obviously, they want to hold on to that proud record,” Conrad said.

“So, yeah, I think it would probably be the biggest feat for us. They're a top side in the world, especially in their conditions, you don't go there and win easily, so going to India, winning a Test series there will be huge.”

Conrad’s men showed they possess the tools to win on the subcontinent with some high-quality spinners in their ranks such as Keshav Maharaj, Simon Harmer and Senuran Muthusamy. The trio along with Prenelen Subrayen claimed 35 of the 40 Pakistan wickets to fall in the recent two-match series. 

Conrad feels that comparisons cannot be made between Pakistan and neighbours India at this stage.

“They're (India) a better side. Better batters, maybe better bowlers and high-quality players. So, I think what they'll really show is a resilience that we're going to have to match,” he said.

“We're going to have to be on top of our game for longer periods, I believe. The two Test matches would have shown that there were probably four instances of Pakistan being rolled over. I don't think you'll necessarily get that against an Indian side.

“It's never going to be easy, but we certainly don't go there short of confidence. And we certainly know that we can mix it with the best in whatever conditions there are.”

Furthermore, the Proteas have received a significant boost with the return of captain Temba Bavuma for the India series. Bavuma missed the recent Pakistan Test series as he completed his recovery from a left calf strain.

The skipper’s return has seen the Proteas release fellow middle-order batter David Bedingham for the India tour with Zubayr Hamza, who toured Pakistan, keeping his place in the squad as the reserve batter.

“I think we're in a fortunate position that we can pick horses for courses,” Conrad said. “I think the guys that did duty in Pakistan in the Test matches have shown what they're capable of and a case can be made for all of them to be re-selected.

“And the reason why they got selected ahead of David was because I feel that in these conditions they'll be more effective. It doesn't mean that it's the end of the road for David. It wasn't so long ago that he was one of our star performers at Lord's, you know, so really horses for courses.

“And for what we're potentially going to face, I believe the guys that we got are ahead of David in that respect. Zubi (Hamza) is a really good player of spin, it's as simple as that. 

“Zubi was close to playing in Pakistan, when we considered the balance of sides. He's one of our best players of spin. So, yeah, that's pretty much the short answer. He's one of our better players of spin and is the next batter up.”

Proteas squad for Tour of India

Test squad: Temba Bavuma (C), Corbin Bosch, Dewald Brevis, Tony de Zorzi, Zubayr Hamza, Simon Harmer, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Senuran Muthusamy, Kagiso Rabada, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs and Kyle Verreynne.

Test series schedule

November 14-18: v India, first Test @ Kolkata

November 22-26: v India, second Test @ Guwahati