The South Africa Test captain, Temba Bavuma, who scripted history by winning the away two-match Test series against India by a margin of 0-2 with victories in Kolkata and Guwahati, broke the silence on the incident which involved the ‘Bauna’ remark from the opposition pacer, Jasprit Bumrah, and wicket-keeper, Rishabh Pant.

It happened during the opening clash at the Eden Gardens, where, midway through a review discussion for a leg before the stumps call on Bavuma, both Jasprit Bumrah and Pant referred to the SA captain as a dwarf, with the stump microphone picking it up before the matter got escalated on social media. 

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“I know from my side, there was an incident where they said something in their language about me. At the end of the day, two senior players, Rishabh Pant and Jasprit Bumrah, came and apologised. When the apology was made, I was in the dark about what it was about; I hadn’t heard it at the time, and I needed to check in with our media manager about it.” Bavuma expressed during an interaction on ESPNcricinfo.

Temba Bavuma breaks silence of Jasprit Bumrah’s ‘Bauna’ remark

Bavuma revealed that he didn’t hear what Bumrah and Pant discussed during the review. But he understood that something had been murmured before the media manager highlighted the point and had to check up. The right-handed person would be better off letting the matter go.

“Shukri also took some heat for his 'grovel' remark. I was put under pressure by the media on that side, asking me to clarify the comments that were made. I thought Shukri was the man best positioned to give context to it all. The first time I heard about it, it had that unsavory taste to it.” Bavuma noted in that same interview.

“I think it just reminded me how tough and competitive the Test series was and what it meant to certain individuals within the group. Shukri spoke after the ODI series and put that issue to bed. In hindsight, he said he could have chosen a better word, and I agree with him.” The former SA captain concluded.