Temba Bavuma, South Africa’s Test and ODI captain, is facing doubts over his participation in the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh, set to begin on October 21. Bavuma was forced to retire hurt during the second ODI against Ireland after scoring 35, aggravating an old elbow injury. He was subsequently ruled out of the third ODI, and will consult a specialist upon returning to South Africa.
Bavuma’s Injury Struggles
Bavuma’s elbow injury is the latest in a string of setbacks. Apart from this, he has battled right hamstring and left hamstring injuries, the latter sustained during the Boxing Day Test against India last year.
These injuries have seen him miss key matches, including South Africa’s Tests in New Zealand earlier this year.Â
His only complete Test series in the current World Test Championship cycle was a two-match tour of the West Indies in August.
South Africa is gearing up for a critical Test series, with six matches remaining in this WTC cycle. They need to win at least five of those to stand a chance of making it to the WTC final in 2025.
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The injury occurred on the same elbow that troubled Bavuma in 2022 during a T20 tour of India, which also caused him to miss South Africa’s series against England later that year.
 Although he made a comeback to lead South Africa in the 2022 T20 World Cup, Bavuma has since faced multiple injuries, further hampering his participation in recent series.
Rassie van der Dussen to Lead
With Bavuma sidelined, Rassie van der Dussen has been named captain for the remaining ODI against Ireland.Â
Aiden Markram, South Africa’s T20I captain, has been rested for the series. Meanwhile, all-rounder Wiaan Mulder has left the tour due to personal reasons.Â
South Africa already holds a 2-0 lead in the series, with the third ODI scheduled for Monday.
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