Batsman Temba Bavuma relished a successful introduction to T20I cricket, after the Proteas beat India by nine wickets in Sunday’s series decider in Bengaluru.

Largely pigeonholed as a Test-match cricketer, Bavuma was arguably a surprise inclusion in the T20I squad for this series. He quietened critics with a solid 49 on debut in the second T20I and a match-winning 27 not out in the third.

‘I got my T20 debut at a time I didn’t expect it. The coaches and selectors have shown a lot of faith in me. It was up to me to pay them back. I think it is just the intensity, to have the mindset to score, as I don’t have the powers like Chris Gayle or someone,’ said Bavuma.

The diminutive right-hander lofted a six over wide long-on off the bowling of spinner Krunal Pandya to seal Sunday’s victory with 19 deliveries to spare. With September’s T20I series squared, India and the Proteas will contest three Tests in October.

‘Picking up singles and twos is my game. I surprised myself there with the six. Lot of confidence within this young team. Our goal was to draw the T20 series and we have managed to do that. We can take the confidence from it into the Test series which is going to be tough,’ added Bavuma.

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