South Africa captain Temba Bavuma suffered a hamstring injury on the opening day of the Boxing Day Test against India. Chasing to stop the ball hit by Indian batter Virat Kohli, Bavuma suffered a strain on his left hamstring and limped off the field. Veteran batter Dean Elagr, who is playing the last series of his Test career, stepped into the captain’s shoes in Bavuma’s absence.
The incident took place in the 20th over when Kohli drove a fuller delivery from Marco Jansen through extra cover. Bavuma, stationed at mid-off, gave it a chase and did some damage to his hamstring while rushing towards the ball. He started limping as he got closer to the ball and then left the field.
Former South Africa batter Herschelle Gibbs came down harsh at the Proteas captain, labelling him ‘unfit’ and ‘overweight’.
“Ironic that the coach allows some players who are clearly unfit and overweight to play when he started off as proteas trainer in 2009," Gibbs posted on microblogging site X (formerly Twitter).
Ironic that the coach allows some players who are clearly unfit and overweight to play when he started off as proteas trainer in 2009— Herschelle Gibbs (@hershybru) December 26, 2023
Bavuma was sent for scans and the commentators revealed during the course of the day that he had suffered a left hamstring strain. An ICC release stated that he will continue to undergo medical evaluations and a call on his further participation in the Test will only be made later.
Bavuma had played with an injured right hamstring in the last match he played before this, the semi-final of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup against South Africa in India last month.
A KL Rahul classic kept India going on Day 1
India were 208 for 8 when bad light followed by rain brought an early close. KL Rahul, who made a century to set up an Indian win on the same ground two seasons ago, was unbeaten on 70. He Rahul batted with composure and added 41 of the 44 runs scored for the loss of Jasprit Bumrah’s wicket after Thakur’s dismissal. When play was halted Rahul had faced 105 balls and hit ten fours and two sixes.
Rabada gets a five-for
Rabada was outstanding for the hosts after they sent India in to bat on a pitch which had been under cover because of rain for 40 hours leading up to the morning of the match. He took five for 44 – his 14th five-wicket haul in Test cricket.
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