During the first Test between India and South Africa, a verbal exchange on the stump mic sparked a controversy. On the final delivery of the 13th over of South Africa’s innings, Jasprit Bumrah appealed for a leg-before wicket against captain Temba Bavuma.
When the umpire turned down the appeal, a conversation ensued among the Indian players about whether to take DRS. Caught on the stump mic, Bumrah was heard remarking, “bauna bhi hai”, which many interpreted as a reference to Bavuma’s height.
South Africa’s Reaction
On the day’s play, South Africa’s batting coach, Ashwell Prince, addressed the issue. He played down the comment and made it clear that the team would not be escalating the matter. He stated, “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’s remarks suggest that, although the comment was picked up publicly, South Africa does not view it as something to lodge a formal complaint over.
Broader Reactions and Sensitivity
The incident has sparked debate beyond the field. The word “bauna” in Hindi typically means “dwarf,” and while it can be used figuratively, its usage in this context has drawn criticism from fans and commentators as potentially disrespectful.
Many believe professional athletes should be more sensitive in their language, especially when comments are caught on mic and amplified by social media scrutiny. Nonetheless, South Africa’s leadership appears to be taking a measured, restrained approach — choosing not to turn the moment into a larger conflict, even as the online backlash grows.
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