Temba Bavuma 31 runs away from joining Graeme Smith, Faf du Plessis on this list, set to surpass Shaun Pollock

South Africa's Temba Bavuma in on a roll. Following the World Test Championship (WTC) title, he led South Africa to their first Test win on Indian soil in 15 years. Despite an underwhelming Test record in subcontinent, Bavuma stood up to the task and scored his maiden Test fifty in India in testing conditions at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.

In the second Test of the series at Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati, Bavuma may end up on elite list of South Africa captains. He needs 31 more runs to become ninth South African player to complete 1,000 Test runs as captain.

From 11 Tests as captain, Bavuma has scored 969 runs from 19 innings at an average of 57, featuring three centuries and six fifties. He remained unbeaten for 55 in Kolkata Test.

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Before touching the 1,000-run mark as Test skipper, Bavuma will surpass Shaun Pollock as well. The former Proteas all-rounder has 998 runs from 26 Tests as captain at an average of 41.58, including two centuries and three fifties.

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List of South Africa captains with 1,000-plus Test runs

The top spot belongs to Graeme Smith with 8,647 runs from 108 Test as captain at an average of 48.30, including 25 tons and 36 fifties. He is followed by Hansie Cronje (2,833 runs), Faf du Plessis (2,219 runs), Herbie Taylor (1,487 runs), Dudley Nourse (1,242 runs), Trevor Goddard (1,092 runs), Jackie McGlew (1,058 runs), Kepler Wessels (1,027 runs).

Bavuma's stunning average

Bavuma's Test average of 57 as captain is the joint-highest for South Africa. Alan Melville had scored 855 runs from 10 Tests at an average of 57, including four centuries and three fifties from 1938 to 1947.

Bavuma on his knock at Eden Gardens

“Batting, I am just comfortable with myself and my technique. I stand as still as I can, watch the ball. I have come here wanting to do well. Not a great record, but I have come here with exuberance and wanting to do well. It was about awareness, the leg opening up a little bit. The way I played it,” the Proteas skipper said in post-match presentation.