Temba Bavuma faces criticism for not coming out to bat on Day 3 of SA vs IND 1st Test; CSA finally shares update on Proteas captain's injury

South Africa were reduced to a 10-man side for the Boxing Day Test against India after captain Temba Bavuma was sidelined due to injury. However, even without his participation, the hosts managed to win comprehensively by an innings and 32 runs. Though it was learned that Bavuma was injured, Cricket South Africa did not disclose the severity, prompting fans to criticise the batter. 

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The 33-year-old suffered a hamstring injury while running behind the ball to stop it from getting to the boundary on Day 1 at SuperSport Park in Centurion. He did not take the field in the final session on the opening day and missed the entire Day 2 as he was taken for scans. There was no proper communication from the Proteas cricket board and their journalists and observers pointed to this delay and mismanagement.

Fans expected Bavuma to walk out to bat with just one wicket remaining during South Africa's first innings batting. However, that did not happen and Marco Jansen was stranded on 84*, missing out on his well-deserved maiden century. All he received was a standing ovation from the crowd for a brave knock that helped his team dominate. Many questioned why Bavuma did not come out to help his teammate reach the milestone. 

There was too much of a risk of aggravating his injury: CSA

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Later in an update, CSA confirmed that skipper Bavuma wasn't fit enough to bat in the second innings. Their medical team felt it was too much of a risk to let him bat in the first innings and were doing their best to get him back on the field for the fourth innings.

"Following continuous medical assessments, it was determined there was too much of a risk of aggravating his injury had he gone out to bat at this stage of the game. The medical team are managing him to give him the best chance to bat should he be required in the 4th innings," CSA's update read.

South Africa managed to post 408 and take a massive lead of 163. Dean Elgar, who is playing his final Test series, scored 185 runs off 287 balls to give his side the upper hand. Their bowlers were on the money in the second innings as they dismantled the Indian batting unit. Apart from Virat Kohli (76), none of the Indian players could put up a fight against the Proteas pace attack. The visitors were bowled out for 131 runs in the second innings and the home team took 1-0 lead in the two-match series.