Xtra Time Web Desk: Temba Bavuma has been ruled out of the second Test against India due to a hamstring strain sustained during the opening day of the Boxing Day Test at SuperSport Park in Centurion. Bavuma, who played a limited role in the first test est due to the injury, faced complications that forced him to withdraw from the upcoming match.
Proteas vice-captain Dean Elgar, fresh off an impressive match-winning performance with 185 runs, will assume the captaincy role in what marks his final Test for the team. Elgar had previously taken charge when Bavuma initially left the field due to the hamstring injury. In response to Bavuma’s absence, Zubayr Hamza has been included in the squad as a replacement.
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The injury to Bavuma occurred during the 20th over of the first Test when he chased a ball towards long-off, managing to reach it just before it crossed the boundary rope. Subsequent scans revealed a hamstring strain, though fortunately not a tear. Cricket South Africa announced that Bavuma’s condition would be closely monitored in the aftermath of the injury, indicating that his return to the field would depend on the recovery progress.
He will undergo further medical assessments prior to the start of the Betway SA20 to determine his availability for the Sunrisers Eastern Cape. Zubayr Hamza has been named as Bavuma’s replacement.
Proteas Test squad against India: Dean Elgar (captain, Momentum Multiply Titans), David Bedingham (Western Province), Nandre Burger (Western Province), Gerald Coetzee (Momentum Multiply Titans), Tony de Zorzi (Western Province), Zubayr Hamza (DP World Lions), Marco Jansen (Dafabet Warriors), Keshav Maharaj (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Aiden Markram (Momentum Multiply Titans), Wiaan Mulder (DP World Lions), Lungi Ngidi (Momentum Multiply Titans), Keegan Petersen (Gbets Rocks), Kagiso Rabada (DP World Lions), Tristan Stubbs (Dafabet Warriors) and Kyle Verreynne (Western Province).
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