Bavuma's numbers in T20IS are even poor. He has just 1 half century in 30 innings and he strikes at 113.97
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Temba Bavuma’s score in the last 7 matches where he has got to bat is 0,0, 3, 8, 2,2 and 10. If a layman reads these scores they would think that these are scores made by a lower order batter. But for those who follow the sport know that these are scores of an awfully out of form Proteas captain and opening batter. Bavuma’s form was always a concern going into the T20 World Cup. But still the management decided to stick with him.
When Bavuma was appointed the white ball captain, eyebrows were raised because he didn’t have a great T20 record to begin with. In 96 innings he strikes at 122.7, way below the standards of modern day T20 batting. His numbers in T20IS are even poor. He has just 1 half century in 30 innings and he strikes at 113.97. These numbers are comparable to pacer Kagiso Rabada’s batting strike rate of 110.48 in T20Is.
Read more: India vs South Africa: Netizens Bash KL Rahul As He Gets Out For Another Low Score
Now Bavuma is an opening batter and Rabada is a bowler who can hit some runs lower down the order so questions must definitely be asked if Bavuma deserves a place in the side or not? Reeza Hendricks who is sitting out of the XI has 11 half centuries in 47 T20I innings. Although his strike rate of 125.41 is not the best either, it’s comparatively much better than Bavuma’s.
It’s not that South Africa doesn’t have other leaders in the group. In Bavuma’s absence Keshav Maharaj and David Miller have led the side. Miller in fact also led his team in the CPL. So in terms of captaincy options South Africa doesn’t lack enough candidates. When Sri Lanka won the 2014 T20 WC, Chandimal left captaincy midway through the tournament.
Lasith Malinga then led the side to a famous victory. Ricky Ponting left Mumbai Indians captaincy midway through the season and Rohit Sharma led Mumbai Indians to the title. The question is can Bavuma do the same! A leader must know when to stop down. He admitted after the India game that apart from him all other batters are in form. So it’d make sense if Bavuma drops himself.
