Bavuma and de Kock (Source: AP Photos)
Asked to bat first in the 3rd ODI in Visakhapatnam, South Africa stumbled early, but a familiar partnership between Quinton de Kock and Temba Bavuma restored calm. As they handled the new ball, the experienced pair rebuilt steadily, not only rescuing the innings but also reinforcing their place among South Africa’s great ODI batting pairs.
Temba Bavuma and Quinton de Kock hit 7th 100-run ODI partnership
India got the better of the Proteas after opting to bowl first, as opener Ryan Rickelton fell in the very first over, registering two consecutive ducks in the ODI series. The early strike put pressure on the visiting side, and it was up to captain Bavuma and senior opener Quinton de Kock to rebuild the innings.
The pair did exactly that, showing patience and control as they worked through the new-ball threat. They ensured South Africa got through the powerplay without any further damage, finishing on 42 for 1 on the board. Their steady, composed approach allowed the innings to settle and gradually shift momentum.
After the powerplay, both the batters began to open their hands, with de Kock doing most of the damage. The southpaw completed his half-century and the pair went on to add 113 runs for the second wicket, a stand that not only revived South Africa’s innings but also carried historical weight, lifting them into joint fourth for the most 100-run ODI partnerships by a South African pair.
Most 100+ partnerships for South Africa in ODIs
PlayersSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableNo. of 100+ partnershipsSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableHashin Amla & AB de VilliersSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table12SelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableHashin Amla & Quinton de KockSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table11SelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableHerschelle Gibbs & Graeme SmithSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table11SelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableHashin Amla & Faf du PlessisSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table9SelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableHerschelle Gibbs & Jacques KallisSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table9SelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableHerschelle Gibbs & Gary KirstenSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table9SelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableAB de Villiers & JP DuminySelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table7SelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableAB de Villiers & Graeme SmithSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table7SelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete TableTemba Bavuma & Quinton de KockSelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table7*SelectAdd Row AboveAdd Row BelowAdd Column RightAdd Column LeftDelete RowDelete ColumnDelete Table
Since Bavuma’s ODI debut in 2016, when he and de Kock opened for South Africa and added 159 runs for the first wicket against Ireland in Benoni for their first century stand, the duo has grown into a prolific pair.
Their seven ODI century partnerships now place them joint fourth alongside legendary South African combinations featuring AB de Villiers, JP Duminy and Graeme Smith.
Coming back to the Vizag encounter, Bavuma eventually fell after laying a solid platform, but his effort, combined with de Kock’s century later, gave South Africa an ideal base to push for a big total on what looked like a superb batting surface for the three-match series decider.
