I feel that I've got a couple of more years in me: Temba Bavuma

It’s been almost 10 years since Temba Bavuma made his Test debut for South Africa as a 24-year-old. The right-handed batter is now 34 and already featured in 60 Tests, scoring 3285 runs at an average of 36.50, studded with 22 fifties and three centuries.

Not only that, Bavuma has also captained the Proteas in all three formats. He is no more part of the T20I set-up but is still South Africa’s ODI and Test skipper. Bavuma has an impressive record with the bat as captain, especially in Test cricket, having an average of 54.22. Under him, South Africa also have a great chance of qualifying for the World Test Championship final. 

"I've got less hair. In terms of the way I view the game, I see it a bit differently. When I came here as a 24-year-old, I was naive to a lot of things. Now, ten years later, having gone through the journey, the ups and downs, you appreciate things a lot more. You don't take things for granted. And you try to find moments and memories in everything that is happening around you,” said Bavuma ahead of the second Test against Sri Lanka, starting on December 5 (Thursday).

"I've been very grateful for the journey that I've been on, everything that has come with it. People always say that in hard times you really get to discover yourself, and I really do think that is true. The one thing that hasn't changed or won't change is my passion and love for the game. It's through that I've been able to overcome everything that has come my way. And, also there's an ambition and a fire inside of me of certain things that I want to achieve."

Bavuma has also struggled with injuries but the middle-order batter feels all that time off the game has helped him understand his batting better, and he feels he can keep going at least for a couple more years. "Being injured and not being able to be in the middle gave me time to kind of reflect on myself as a batter, what my goals are, how I want to go about doing my business, and obviously putting in the time and effort to do so," said Bavuma, who slammed scores of 70 and 113 in the first Test.

"I feel that I've got a couple of more years in me. Mentally, that is; physically, not too sure. As long as I'm still enjoying the game, I'm still passionate about the game, I still get joy from seeing other guys perform and become inspired, I'll still be well and truly on this journey."

If you’ve not downloaded the Cricket.com app yet, you’re missing out on our content — big time. Download the App here.