Will Jasprit Bumrah be Banned for Body Shaming Temba Bavuma During IND vs SA 1st Test?

India’s fast bowling star, Jasprit Bumrah, appeared visibly frustrated during an LBW appeal against South Africa captain Temba Bavuma in the first Test of the two-match series. This moment happened on Day 1 of the Test match on November 14 at Kolkata’s iconic Eden Gardens, and quickly went viral on social media.

After winning the toss, South Africa elected to bat first in the series opener. The openers, Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton, gave their side a solid platform with a 50-plus partnership. However, Bumrah turned the tide in India’s favour and showed why he is among the best bowlers in the world. He picked up two wickets in quick succession to remove both set batsmen and put the home team on the front foot.

Jasprit Bumrah Body Shames Temba Bavuma; Calls Him a…

In the 13th over of South Africa’s first innings, Jasprit Bumrah delivered a sharp in-swinger that struck Temba Bavuma on the back pad, resulting in an immediate LBW appeal. However, umpire Rod Tucker turned the decision down. While Bumrah was confident it was out, wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant felt the ball had risen too much, and after a lengthy discussion, captain Shubman Gill decided against taking the review.

Replays later showed that the ball would have passed over the leg stump. Bumrah wrapped up his first spell of seven overs with figures of 2 wickets for 9 runs, including four maiden overs, putting India in a strong position. Jasprit Bumrah Temba Bavuma stump mic incident got viral after the LBW appeal, as Bumrah called Temba Bavuma a ‘dwarf’ in order to convey that Temba Bavuma height is short and the ball might hit the stumps.

The video of Temba Bavuma body shame by Bumrah quickly went viral online. Bavuma is one of the shortest cricketers to have played the game. His remarks have drawn criticism from a section of fans on social media. Many have expressed disapproval of his reaction, with some even suggesting that he should issue an apology, but that is just how social media reacts, and it is highly unlikely at this moment for Jasprit Bumrah to face any sort of punishment or ban from the match referee.

Temba Bavuma Falls Early and Proteas Struggle At Eden Gardens

Temba Bavuma, who captained South Africa to their World Test Championship victory earlier this year, made his return to the playing XI for the Test series against India after missing the Pakistan tour due to injury. Unfortunately, his comeback got off to a frustrating start in the first innings at Eden Gardens, the oldest cricket stadium in India.

The South African captain managed just 3 runs from 11 deliveries before being trapped by Kuldeep Yadav, with Dhruv Jurel taking a sharp catch at leg slip. After a lengthy injury break, Bavuma will now face added pressure to play a significant innings in the second innings.

South Africa’s innings at Eden Gardens on Day 1 began on a shaky note, as the team reached 150 at the loss of 8 wickets. The Proteas, having won the toss and elected to bat first, quickly lost key wickets, with India’s bowlers keeping the pressure on consistently.

Despite a careful start from the openers, Jasprit Bumrah and the Indian pace attack struck important blows, and South Africa couldn't manage any significant partnerships. South Africa will most likely crumble under 200, and the home side will have a chance to take a big lead before the second innings.