South African captain Temba Bavuma did not come out to bat during Day 3 of the first IND vs SA Test after suffering a hamstring injury during the second session of Day 1. Bavuma suffered a hamstring injury. left hamstring so he had to leave the field and was taken for examinations.
Now, according to Cricket South Africa’s recent medical update on Temba Bavuma’s fitness, there was a lot of risk if the South African captain had come out to bat on Day 3. His injury would have increased and become more serious.
However, the medical team is constantly monitoring his situation and trying to give him the best opportunity to bat in the fourth innings if necessary.
Notably, Temba Bavuma faced a lot of criticism after he did not bat in South Africa’s first innings. Fans criticized him for not giving his all to help his teammate Marco Jansen reach his first Test century. The young all-rounder was stranded on 84* off 147 balls as the Proteas lost their ninth wicket. Had Bavuma batted, Jansen could have had a chance to complete his century.
CSA Provides Medical Update on Do Not Insult
Update on Bavuma from CSA: “After ongoing medical assessments, it was determined that there was too much risk of aggravating his injury had he come out to bat at this stage of the game. “The medical team is managing him to give him the best opportunity to bat if he is needed in the fourth inning.”
Update on Bavuma from CSA: “Following ongoing medical assessments, it was determined that there was too much risk of aggravating his injury had he come out to bat at this stage of the game….#SAvIND #cricket
– Firdose Moonda (@FirdoseM) December 28, 2023
… The medical team is managing him to give him the best opportunity to hit if he is needed in the fourth inning.” #SAvIND #cricket
– Firdose Moonda (@FirdoseM) December 28, 2023
This is not the first time Temba Bavuma has suffered a hamstring injury. Bavuma faced a problem before the ODI World Cup semi-final South Africa vs Australia 2023 and played the match with the injury.
Temba Bavuma did not find a place in the three-match ODI squad against India after his dismal performance in the 2023 ODI World Cup and the team was led by Aiden Markram. South Africa had lost the series 2-1 against KL Rahul-led India.
Coming back to the match, the Indian team finished on 62/3 at Tea in their second innings of day 3. The South African pacers removed Indian openers Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal for 0 and 5 runs respectively, while Shubman Gill also passed away after score 26. runs.
Now all the onus is on Virat Kohli as he will look to help India overcome South Africa’s lead and then set a good competitive target to have a chance of winning the match.
India are yet to win a Test series in South Africa for the last 31 years and have won only two Tests out of the last six Tests played here. Furthermore, the Indian team had the best chance to end their drought in 2021 but lost the remaining two games after winning the first match in dominant fashion at Centurion.
The Indian team won the ODI series against the Proteas by 2-1, while the T20I series ended with a score of 1-1.