India, Oct. 21 -- Temba Bavuma loves batting in Tests. He loves it even more when he's captain. As South Africa's skipper, Bavuma averages 54.36, well above his overall Test average of 37.39. He clearly enjoys facing the Aussies too, as his five fifties and a career-best 179 in the second Test at Gqeberha suggest.

South Africa were reeling at 110/6, with Bavuma holding one end up. A crucial 132-run partnership with Marco Jansen offered some much-needed respite, before another stand of 183 with Simon Harmer turned the game on its head. The two 80s from South Africa's No. 9 and No. 10 deserve plenty of credit, but Bavuma's knock was cut from a different cloth. At just 5 feet 4 inches tall, Bavuma is hardly imposing in stature, which makes ...