‘I never run away from pressure, it brings out the best in me as a person’

There has been a massive change. When I started in 2012, the culture was strong but it was an old-fashioned mindset. Then there were many strong personalities who ran the team well. But now the culture is also very strong. We have welcomed every player as much as possible. Even with the little ones we’ve tried to make them feel like they’ve been here for a few years. I think it’s because they are more comfortable with the environment. We have also lost a lot of players, but we also have some young players who can be good because they bring a different spinoff to the atmosphere and that also won’t work for me. It’s a work in progress, but it’s stronger than what others on the outside think of us.

How difficult is it to be the captain of a country like South Africa? How are you handling the pressure with so many things happening?

It depends how you handle that pressure. I have to see it as a privilege, not a curse, a burden. South Africa has its own challenges with regards to many of the dynamism that make up South Africa; It is quite unique and special. I don’t think there is any other country in the world which has to deal with such dynamics in the society. I never shy away from pressure, I feel it brings out the best in me as a person. My personality is attracted to such challenges that come with the job. I enjoy it.

There is always light at the end of the tunnel, even though it may seem like a small light at times! There is always a ray of hope.

Being the captain of South Africa is not just a matter of cricket; There are many moral dynamics involved in inclusivity, racism, and the like. No other cricket captain will face such pressure.

They are important for our social development. I have never seen better than the way we have gone and the way things are in the team right now. The way people respect and respond to each other is quite special.

Of course, this is one of the biggest challenges. I have to connect with every player who is playing and who is potentially coming into the team. I am lucky that right now I have very good relations with everyone. I’ve been around for a long time and they know what kind of guy I am.

It’s a bit of a break now because I’m not a part of white-ball cricket, but now that we meet, I don’t see any problem in getting him back by my side and getting along.

It’s about finding balance in your inner roles. Off the field, you have to be a friend and someone who is willing to listen and learn. On the field, you almost have to step into a different personality as a leader. This is one of the biggest challenges – it’s important to have good people around you. You have to talk and learn.

Did you have to educate yourself to be more socially aware of, say, what it means to be a young black cricketer or the challenges Africans face?

As a cricketer in South Africa, you have to be able to interact with those guys. You can’t be in a bubble. This happens by interacting with the players, understanding them, understanding the issues. The conversations we have had in the past have been good from an educational point of view. It is still a work in progress. We should never stop learning about each other. We have to sit and listen. Listening is such an important skill in my role. Speak at the same time, so that they understand you. Be honest in your communication.

I have spent a lot of time talking with Temba Bavuma. We have known each other for many years, from A to side and to the Proteas. Over time, we have been able to get comfortable with each other, able to talk to each other about all these things and it has been a learning curve for all of us.

And people need to know that you are not going to use it to your advantage. Trust each other and be comfortable. I think I got it with my teammates.

Not only in the cricket team but in the country, have those conversations and the whole lived experience of change changed you in some ways?

Definitely. It has definitely connected me more emotionally to people. It makes me a little more anxious and wary about the past. It definitely has a massive learning curve. We all have a unique story, be it black, white, African, English African; In South Africa, it’s just that we have a lot of diversity.

When it comes to cricket, you have had 10 different opening partners in the last five years. Has it affected you?

It has been a lot and has been disruptive. I didn’t think it would have any effect on me as a player but as it progresses, it has been a bit of a setback for my career. I’m not going to use this as an excuse. It has put me in a more flexible position. It hasn’t made me a better player or a worse player but has helped me grow as a character. Going forward, I hope we will have a solid opening pair with myself and Aiden Markram.

Around the world, there seems to be some sort of teething pairing issue.

It looks like this. Maybe T20 effect. I don’t have the answer. This is a special situation and sometimes people forget the basics and the fundamentals. But this is my opinion.

You are seen as a fighter who doesn’t give up or give an inch to the opposition. How did that personality develop?

I think since childhood. I have always had to work hard. In my teenage days, going up against adults, I would be stubborn, forbidding them to kick me out. Even in the backyard, I used to refuse adults to take me out. Childhood plays a huge role in the kind of person you are. I have to do one thing. My job is to go out, score runs and put my team in a winning position. My character off the field is completely different from the character on the field. I’m not there to make friends on the field. I won’t let anyone walk on me.

your interesting battle with Ravichandran Ashwin going to start again. looking forward to it?

Certainly, this has been a topic of discussion. Ash is a world class spinner. He has done well against me in India, but I have done well against him as well. We’ve had fights in county cricket too – the pitch I remember was like Nagpur, I think (laughs). The ball moved a lot. No matter where in the world you play, it will be an uphill battle. He is one of the best. There is a lot of mutual respect.

What makes a player like Jasprit Bumrah difficult for an opener?

He is a world class bowler and the conditions in South Africa suit him a lot with plenty of bounce and extra seam movement. This is another big challenge. There are more good fast bowlers in India; So, it should be a good competition.

You have a good bowling attack but you have lost some senior batsmen like Hashim Amla, Faf du Plessis and AB de Villiers, Still see the benefits at home?

Yes, we have to be careful with the loss of experienced batsmen. You can’t fill those positions quickly, but it has given a lot of opportunities to talented young batsmen. Knowing that we may have one or two young inexperienced batsmen, going into a big series will be a challenge. But he has done well in domestic cricket. This is an opportunity and if you don’t grab them, there are others waiting.

We have an upper hand that we are playing in South Africa, we know our conditions more than India but then India is the best team in the world. We know that they are trying to beat us by coming here, which they have never done before. It is going to be a tough match but I am sure because we are playing at home.

You have a Kolpak return in Duane Olivier, the bowler coming back to play for you. A word on that.

He is a big player for us. He has been given a chance because he has done well in domestic cricket.

People left because they were not given opportunities in South Africa. Every player has a choice and they actually took a big gamble to get there and it paid off. I don’t see any problem with it. If a young talented player feels that he has to go abroad to find opportunities, then so be it.

You must have read about the change in captaincy in India. Virat Kohli Right now only Test captain and Rohit Sharma Plays the role of the white ball. Do you think all these changes can destabilize India? How has your experience of playing in India changed over the years?

I don’t think it is affecting India too much. I think Rohit and Virat are players and characters of similar stature. Rohit is calmer than Virat but India’s mindset will still be to win. They are still supposed to be in a good leadership position. Virat is still the Test captain and he has a lot of years left for India as a captain. India will still be a very good team.

India’s travel record over the years has been phenomenal. That’s the one thing that Virat clearly wants to do and he competed well coming out in Australia England, Here.

How is the situation with omicron version progress?

Our bio bubble is world class. The situation is not ideal but within the bubble, things will be good for the people. I’m pretty sure.

How do you think Bavuma has come to be a leader and player?

As a leader, he has come by leaps and bounds. To be given such a huge honor to captain white-ball teams on Temba’s shoulders is a huge responsibility. In Test cricket, as a player, he needs to work hard on his game, but he is just an innings away from realizing his potential as a Test batsman. He is a very talented batsman and he needs to convert 30-40s into hundreds. And then, he could be on his way. He is not far from being a very good Test cricketer.

In the end, will South Africa or Stevens benefit as well?

I think we are still strong contenders for the home series. Even though we haven’t played much cricket in the recent past, we are good at what we have played. Anything can happen in Test cricket and India are certainly a very good team. No doubt Virat would like to come to South Africa and beat South Africa. This series is going to be very good. I can’t wait for it to start.