In the heat of the ongoing third ODI against India, South African captain Temba Bavuma quietly achieved a milestone that speaks more about patience than it does about power. While leading the charge for the Proteas, Bavuma crossed the 2,000-run mark in ODIs, writing a unique chapter in his nation’s cricketing history.
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Getting to 2,000 runs is a big achievement for most batters, but Temba Bavuma has done it in a way that highlights his perseverance. He reached the landmark in his 53rd innings, tying him with teammate Quinton de Kock. This makes him the joint-fourth fastest South African to get there, trailing behind only Hashim Amla (40 innings), Rassie van der Dussen (45), and Gary Kirsten (50).
However, the headline statistic isn't about how fast he got there, but when he arrived. At 35 years and 203 days old, Temba Bavuma has become the oldest South African batter to reach 2,000 ODI runs. He takes this specific record from Rassie van der Dussen, who reached the milestone at 34 years and 247 days.
In a sport often obsessed with young prodigies, Bavuma’s achievement is a reminder that experience counts. His career hasn't always been a straight line; he has had to fight for his spot and prove his critics wrong repeatedly. Reaching this tally against a powerhouse team like India adds a special touch to the accomplishment. It shows that Bavuma possesses the grit required to compete at the highest level well into his mid-30s.
As the series against India continues, South African fans will be hoping their veteran captain has plenty more runs left in the tank.
