Former India player Aakash Chopra has applauded Temba Bavuma for playing a stunning knock on Day 3 of the 2025 World Test Championship (WTC) final. He added that the South Africa captain isn’t celebrated or appreciated much a well. However, South Africa bowled Australia out for 207 in their second innings on Day 3 of the 2025 WTC final at Lord’s on Friday, June 13 as well. Bavuma then scored an unbeaten 65 off 121 balls as the Proteas ended the day at 213/2 while chasing a 282-run target.

In a video shared on his YouTube channel ‘Aakash Chopra,’ he said, “Temba has captained in 10 matches, and has won eight of them. He brought his team this far after winning seven consecutive matches. He suffered a leg injury, and he was hobbling. He was hobbling so much that it seemed like he might not reach the other end. However, the guy fought.”

“A captain says ‘Don’t do as I say, do as I do.’ There cannot be a bigger deed than showing it by doing it, and that is how you command respect, and captain Temba Bavuma is doing exactly that, the way he has batted, and he is still there. He is slightly less celebrated, less acknowledged, and less appreciated, but Lord Bavuma at the Lord’s,” he further added.

ALSO READ: “I did get a couple of hints” – AB de Villiers on Virat Kohli’s Test retirement

However, Aakash Chopra also added that South Africa could have faced a collapse, which might have altered the course of the 2025 WTC final if Temba Bavuma got out or left the field earlier.

“He got half a chance for sure, but he is absolutely outstanding. His batting was incredible. His combative spirit was seen. If he had gotten out or had gone out, things could have changed if a collapse had happened, but Temba ensured that didn’t happen,” he said.

“Let’s be honest, he seemed like he was allowing the game to drift a little as a captain, but let’s keep captaincy aside for the time being, because he has done a job with the bat that they might end victorious today. They are very close. An ICC men’s trophy might be in South Africa’s name after 27 years,” Aakash Chopra concluded.