Will savour leading South Africa in a World Cup semi-final: Temba Bavuma

Temba Bavuma has not been in the best of forms in the World Cup, having scored just 145 at 20.71 in seven innings so far. He has gotten off to starts on a couple of occasions but has not made it big, unlike his partner Quinton de Kock, who has already hit four hundreds in nine innings. 

Bavuma, however, says that the focus will be on getting South Africa to a good start, especially in the first 10 overs.

"I've said this quite a lot, the pressure is always there. I think every player feels pressure whether you're doing well, whether you're not doing well. It comes in different forms. I think it's important that I feel I try to separate the two, being the captain and leader of the team. Make sure that you're doing that as well as you can. Trying to create the calmness and belief within the team going into an occasion like this," Bavuma said ahead of the second semi-final against Australia in Kolkata.  

"And then there's obviously me being the batter, making sure that I'm close to my best.

"Yes, I haven't scored the bulk of the runs within the team. Got it in quite a couple of times, haven't converted. So, I guess from that point of view, also knowing that I play a key role with Quinton up top in terms of our partnership, we've been involved in a couple of 50-plus partnerships, so I take a lot of confidence in that.

"I guess tomorrow my focus will be a lot on that, making sure that if we're batting first, we make sure we take care of that first 10 overs."

Bavuma, who had a hamstring issue, says he is not 100% fit but remains confident of taking the field on Thursday (November 16). He will, however, rest up today and see how he feels ahead of the game tomorrow.

"Physically, I feel alright. Obviously not 100%," Bavuma said. 

"So, obviously, this day becomes important in terms of decision about tomorrow. I'm quite confident, but I mean, it's not a unilateral decision that will be made. State of mind - obviously a bit nervous of the game. It will be our first semi-final and as a team. But I think the feeling is no different, I guess, from any game that we've encountered within the World Cup."

Bavuma will lead South Africa for the first time in a World Cup semi-final. He says he will try and savour the moment as much as he can but believes that it is important not to get carried away.

"It's obviously something that I'll be looking forward to. It's something that I'll savour in that moment. With that opportunity, I know it will mean a lot for the family and people back home. And obviously, it would be nice to be having another press conference with you guys on the 18th of November - but yeah, try not to get too much into that into all those emotions let's see it as just another game," the skipper said.

Bavuma has also hinted that he could potentially play both Tabraiz Shamsi and Keshav Maharaj, given that spinners are tipped to have a big role to play at the Eden Gardens.

"If it is up to me, I'm definitely playing our two front-line spinners. Obviously, Keshav and Shamsi. We obviously have Aiden [Markram] as well, who also gives us an option there. Then I think it's just finalising in terms of the three seamers, who that may be. But I mean, like you say, conditions, opposition as well, really give that as an option for us," Bavuma said.