"They Don't Have An Army Of PR": Sunil Gavaskar Compares South Africa Captain Temba Bavuma To 2 India Greats

South Africa captain Temba Bavuma earned tremendous appreciation from the cricket fraternity after his match-winning 179 against Australia in the second Test in Gqeberha. Legendary India cricketer Sunil Gavaskar was among those who led the praise for Bavuma. In a recent column, Gavaskar wrote how Bavuma isn't a "chest-thumper", but has admirably led South Africa in Tests. Gavaskar likened Bavuma's on-field demeanour and resilient batting ability to former India cricketer Ajinkya Rahane, as well as to his own former India teammate Gundappa Vishwanath.

"Bavuma's appointment as captain of the South African team came with the usual nudge nudge wink wink accusations of quota selection but over the years he has proven a terrific leader which is different from being a captain and with his own performances has made his doubters eat their own dirty words," Gavaskar wrote, in his column for Mid-day.

"His record of winning 12 out of the 14 Tests he has captained The Proteas and losing only the first Test of the series, is as stellar a record as that of Ajinkya Rahane under whom India never lost a Test. Both are not chest-thumpers, nor do they have an army of PR to try and influence the world as to how good they are," he further wrote.

"Bavuma's demeanor on the field reminds so much of the much loved and admired Gundappa Viswanath who showed that to be a tough cricketer one doesn't have to swear and rage against the world," Gavaskar added.

With South Africa down 0-1 in the series and tottering at 110/6 in the second Test in Gqeberha, Bavuma slammed a phenomenal 179 to bail his side out of trouble. South Africa ended up winning the rain-affected match by an innings and 31 runs, cementing Bavuma's innings as one of the all-time great Test knocks.

Featured Video Of The Day

India Ends CWG Boxing Campaign With Record-Breaking Seven Gold Medals