Temba Bavuma reacts for the first time after Jasprit Bumrah called ‘Bauna’! Said – Bumrah-Pant…

During the three-match series between India and South Africa, Indian bowler Jasprit Bumrah and wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant made controversial comments on the South African captain. The first reaction of South African captain Temba Bavuma is currently going viral on social media. South Africa captain Temba Bavuma said Jasprit Bumrah and Rishabh Pant had apologized to him for the ‘dwarf’ comment during the first Test at Eden Gardens.

Bavuma said he does not forget what was said on the field and uses it as motivation, but added that he has no complaints about the Indian players. South Africa had a great tour of India, where they won the Test series 2-0 and also excelled in ODIs, although they lost the 50-over series 2-1. The T20 series was mostly one-sided, with India winning 3-1.

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‘Bumrah and Pant apologized’

Bavuma wrote in a column for ESPNCricinfo, “My knowledge is that he used his language to say something offensive to me. Eventually, both the senior players, Rishabh Pant and Jasprit Bumrah, came and apologised. When the apology came, I didn’t know what it was about, I didn’t hear it at the time and I had to ask our media manager about it. What happens on the field stays on the field, but you You don’t forget what was said, you use it as fuel and motivation, but there is no personal animosity.”

Temba Bavuma said coach Shukri Conrad should have avoided using the word “grovel” in the press conference, which caused a lot of confusion. Conrad later apologized for the comment, saying it was blown out of proportion. He said, “Shukri also faced criticism for his ‘grovel’ comment. The media pressed me and asked me to clarify that comment. I thought Shukri was the only one who could put it in the right context. When I first heard about it, it wasn’t good, but I think it was reminding me how tough and competitive the Test series was and how important it was to some groups. Shukri spoke after the ODI series and made peace with the issue. Later, he said he could have chosen a better word. And I agree with them.”

‘You don’t forget what is said, but there are no grudges per se’

A Temba Bavuma exclusive on his tour of India: pic.twitter.com/vPh3TRYgCp

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) December 24, 2025

On India’s impressive Test series win, Bavuma said he knew the series would be tough. “You don’t want to admit it, but some wounds are still there. You just hope you don’t reopen those wounds or relive those moments. Mentally, that was the thing, but at the same time, from past experience, you knew it was going to be tough.”