rediff logo
« Back to Article
Print this article

Proteas downplay Bumrah's 'bauna' jibe at Bavuma

Last updated on: November 14, 2025 20:10 IST

The Hindi word bauna is commonly used for those suffering from dwarfism, but its also used as a taunt for someone who is simply short in height.

Indian players converge as they  deliberate over an LBW appeal against Temba Bavuma off the bowling of Jasprit Bumrah 

IMAGE: Indian players converge as they deliberate over an LBW appeal against Temba Bavuma off the bowling of Jasprit Bumrah. Photograph: BCCI/X

South Africa batting coach Ashwell Prince on Friday played down the stump-mic chatter involving Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah and wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant, saying the visitors will have "no discussion" around the incident during the opening day's play in the first Test at the Eden Gardens.

 

The exchange happened on the last ball of the 13th over in South Africa's innings when at 62/2, a leg-before appeal from Bumrah against Proteas captain Temba Bavuma was turned down.

The incident unfolded when Bumrah angled a good-length delivery back into Bavuma, struck him on the thigh pad and the pacer, who returned with five wickets, went with a huge appeal only for the umpire to reject it.

Pant felt it was going over and the replays later confirmed the ball would have missed the stumps.

While the players were deciding whether to take the DRS, the stump mic picked up Bumrah saying, "bauna bhi hai," a remark many interpreted as a taunt at Bavuma's height.

The Hindi word bauna is commonly used for those suffering from dwarfism, but its also used as a taunt for someone who is simply short in height.

Prince, however, distanced the team from any such controversy during the media interaction after the opening day's proceedings, saying South Africa are not lodging any complaint.

“No, there will be no discussion. It's the first time, obviously, it's come to my attention. I don't think there'll be any issues with what's happened out in the middle,” Prince said.

Bavuma, returning to lead the Test side after recovering from a calf strain, had a brief and forgettable outing as he was dismissed for 3 off 11 balls by Kuldeep Yadav via a leg-slip trap.

The injury had earlier forced him to miss the start of South Africa's World Test Championship title defence against Pakistan.

© Copyright 2025 PTI. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of PTI content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent.