Why Temba Bavuma is Not Playing Today in IND vs SA 1st ODI?

Aiden Markram stepped out for the toss in Ranchi ahead of the opening ODI against India, which meant that Temba Bavuma would not be featuring in the match. This development immediately caught the attention of fans, as Bavuma was widely expected to captain the side in the series opener. Aiden Markram will be taking on leadership duties for the day. Temba Bavuma injury update has not yet been provided by the Proteas. Fans are expecting a reason from the management for Bavuma’s absence.

Why is Temba Bavuma Not Playing IND vs SA 1st ODI?

During the toss, Markram informed Ravi Shastri that Bavuma is taking a break for the series opener. Temba Bavuma has dealt with small fitness concerns in the past and has been carefully managed by the team. Why Temba Bavuma is Not Playing Today is buzzing among the fans, but it is believed his absence is probably due to the selectors taking a precaution, either to give him a planned break or because of a minor physical concern.

With Bavuma unavailable, Markram is expected to take up the No. 3 role for South Africa during the second half of the match at the JSCA International Stadium Complex. The opening duties will fall to the left-handed wicketkeeper-batter pair of Ryan Rickelton and Quinton de Kock.

Markram decided to bowl first after winning the toss in the opening match of the series. South Africa went into the game with a pace-heavy attack featuring Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Nandre Burger, and Ottneil Baartman, supported by their lone spinner, Prenelan Subrayen, where some of these can become one of the best South African bowler in the future. India, on the other hand, lined up with three frontline pacers, a pair of spin-bowling all-rounders, and a dedicated spinner to complete their attack.

Gaikwad, whose previous ODI appearance for India came on December 19, 2023, has been preferred over Tilak Varma and Rishabh Pant for the No. 4 slot. While he has not occupied that position for the national side before, he has fulfilled that role for Maharashtra in domestic cricket. Unfortunately, he got dismissed at 8 runs courtesy of a blinder from Dewald Brewis, who took a splendid catch while fielding at point and diving to his right.

King Kohli and Hitman Put the Men in Blue in Command

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma pushed India into a commanding position in the opening ODI in Ranchi, with Kohli delivering a masterful hundred and Rohit setting the foundation at the start. Kohli crafted 135 from 120 balls, controlling the innings and keeping the run rate healthy through his 7 sixes and 11 fours along with lightening quick rotation of strike, justifying why he is one of the best ODI batsman in the world.

Rohit supported with a solid 57, absorbing early pressure and giving India the stability they needed after Yashasvi Jaiswal's wicket. Together, they gave India the platform to up the scoring rate in the latter stages. KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja also contributed in the last ten overs of the innings and took India to 349-8 in 50 overs with KL scoring 60 off 56 while Jadeja smashed 32 off 20.

South Africa’s choice to bowl first ultimately played into India’s hands, as Kohli dictated the flow of the innings. By the time he was dismissed, India had already built a strong total. Although South Africa’s pace attack, featuring Nandre Burger, Marco Jansen, and Ottniel Baartman, found occasional breakthroughs and controlled the Indian innings from reaching 400, as at the halfway stage, it was looking like India would put on a mammoth score.