There's a cloud of uncertainty hovering over South Africa's cricket captain, Temba Bavuma, as he faces the prospect of missing the crucial semi-final clash in the 2023 Men’s ODI World Cup. This comes on the heels of a hamstring injury sustained during their victorious final league match against Afghanistan at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Friday.
Bavuma's struggle was evident when he left the field after just nine balls in the first innings. Although he made a return four overs later, his presence was marked by a noticeable limp, particularly evident in his fielding position at mid-off. The captain's efforts to chase down balls were cautious, and he appeared to hobble when running, a concern amplified by his role as an opening batter, especially when maneuvering through singles. The extent of Bavuma's injury raises doubts about his availability for the upcoming crucial encounter in the ODI World Cup semi-final.
"Obviously my leg is sore - don't know to what extent - but it's going to have to be fine (for the semi-final). Obviously I had that option of coming off, but I think as much as it was our last group-stage game, probably it didn't have a big bearing in terms of the play-off."
"But I still wanted to be out there with the guys. It was an opportunity for me to get some time in the middle (batting), so I didn't want to let that go. But also to keep leading the guys, keep marshalling out in the field, (and) keep strengthening those relationships with the bowlers. It was a bit risky, staying on the field - but that's what I felt was right at that time," said Bavuma after the match ended.
In the unfortunate event of Temba Bavuma's unavailability for the pivotal semi-final, which is slated against Australia at Kolkata on Thursday, the reins of the South African team are likely to be handed over to Aiden Markram. This substitution mirrors a previous scenario when Bavuma missed matches against England and Bangladesh due to illness, and Markram assumed the captaincy responsibilities. During this period, Reeza Hendricks took charge of the opening batting duties.
South Africa's recent performance in the league stages showcased their mettle, notably in the successful chase of 245 against Afghanistan. The team displayed resilience and skill, culminating in a comfortable victory. However, the journey has not been without its challenges, with a nail-biting one-wicket win over Pakistan in Chennai adding to the dramatic narrative. It's worth noting that in instances where South Africa was tasked with chasing, they faced defeats against the Netherlands and India. As they gear up for the semi-final clash, the absence of Bavuma introduces a layer of uncertainty, emphasizing the importance of Markram's leadership and Hendricks' contribution at the top of the batting order.
"They say winning is a habit, so we want to take that momentum forward. We take a lot of confidence. Also, we did something a bit differently. Normally, the preference is to bat first; (but) we batted second."
"Well, we were sent in to bowl first, and to get over the line in that manner is going to put a lot of confidence in us. (There was a) lot of understanding as to how we can go about that chase. Fantastic knock by Rassie, who took ownership of that innings, and guys batted around him," concluded Bavuma.
(With Agency Inputs)
