South Africa have been handed an injury blow in their captain Temba Bavuma who hurt his left hamstring while fielding on Day 1 of the first Test against India in Centurion.
Bavuma was chasing after a delivery after Virat Kohli drove one from Marco Janson through extra cover.
Running from mid-off, Bavuma clutched his hamstring midway through his run even as the ball stopped before it could reach the boundary.
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After receiving treatment from the team physio briefly, Bavuma walked off the field before Cricket South Africa (CSA) put out a statement that he’ll be undergoing daily medical evaluations.
“Scans have revealed a left hamstring strain. He (Bavuma) will undergo daily medical evaluations to determine his participation in the match,” read an update from CSA.
Dean Elgar, who will retire from international cricket after this series, took over the captaincy duties in Bavuma’s absence.
The 33-year-old Bavuma has been battling fitness concerns since the 2023 ODI World Cup in India where he was struggling with a right hamstring strain.
He picked up his injury in South Africa’s final league match of the competition against Afghanistan. However, he played in their semi-final defeat to Australia.
He wasn’t part of South Africa’s T20I and ODI squads for the India series earlier this month and was expected to make his on-field return with a first-class match.
Bavuma skipped the game due to personal reason and made his competitive return in Centurion on Tuesday.
Should Bavuma be unable to bat, South Africa will be a batter short for the remainder of the first Test.
Meanwhile, the opening day’s play of the first Test was cut short thanks to rain with India 208/8 in 59 overs.
Kagiso Rabada sliced through India batting order with a five-wicket haul but KL Rahul led the fightback with an unbeaten 70.
The two-match Test series is part of the ongoing ICC World Test Championship.
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