An on-field comment involving Jasprit Bumrah, Rishabh Pant and South Africa captain Temba Bavuma during the first Test of India’s recent home series has come into focus after Bavuma spoke about it openly.
The incident happened during the Test match at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. India were appealing for an LBW, and Bumrah was trying to convince Pant to go for a review.
During that discussion, Bumrah and Pant referred to Bavuma as “Bauna”, a Hindi word linked to short height. Bumrah suggested the ball had not hit Bavuma high, using the word while speaking to Pant.
The remark did not go unnoticed. Clips and reports soon spread on social media, leading to strong criticism from fans. Many accused the Indian players of body shaming Bavuma during a live Test match.
Bavuma later addressed the episode in his column for ESPNcricinfo. He revealed that both Pant and Bumrah came up to him and apologised after the incident.
“I know from my side there was an incident where they said something in their language about me,” Bavuma wrote. “At the end of the day two senior players, Rishabh Pant and Jasprit Bumrah, came and apologised.”
Bavuma said he was initially confused by the apology. He had not heard the comment at the time and did not know what it referred to. It was only later, after speaking to South Africa’s media manager, that he understood the full context.
“When the apology was made, I was in the dark about what it was about,” Bavuma added. “I hadn’t heard it at the time and I needed to check in with our media manager about it.”
Despite the backlash and criticism, Bavuma made it clear he did not carry any resentment. Instead, he chose to turn the moment into motivation.
“What happens on the field, stays on the field but you don’t forget what is said,” he wrote. “You use it as fuel and motivation, but there are no grudges per se.”
That mindset seemed to work for South Africa. Under Bavuma’s captaincy, they produced a historic performance, beating India 2–0 in the Test series.
It was South Africa’s first Test series win in India in 25 years, a result that stunned many and underlined Bavuma’s calm leadership.
The episode also reopened debate around sledging in cricket, where verbal exchanges are common. Many felt this remark crossed a line, while others pointed to the apology and Bavuma’s response as the right way to move on.