South Africa white-ball coach Rob Walter has revealed the reason behind the exclusion of Temba Bavuma from T20I and ODI squad for the upcoming IND vs SA series. Walter explained that the mental strain from the World Cup and captaincy pressure affected Bavuma mentally, and it was important for the batter to take a break and return fresh for the Test series.
“Temba’s been phenomenal throughout the year, but there’s a mental toll in terms of the pressures of a World Cup. The scrutiny on a captain is even more pronounced. For him to step away for a while and prioritise being ready for the Test series is important to us. In fact, we want all of our key players to be in the best shape for that [Test] series and that drove our decision-making”, Walter said in a press conference.
Rob Walter added that deciding to rest Bavuma for the T20I and ODI series against India was an easy choice and revealed that Bavuma, and Test coach Shukri Conrad quickly agreed to it.
With Bavuma absent, Aiden Markram will lead the ODI and T20I side. Notably, the Proteas will host India for all-format tour, starting on December 10.
The tour will commence with 3-match T20I series, followed by a 3-match ODI series. The tour will conclude with a 2-match Test series, starting on December 26 in Centurion.
South Africa squads for the series:
T20 squad: Aiden Markram (captain), Ottniel Baartman, Matthew Breetzke, Nandre Burger, Gerald Coetzee, Donovan Ferreira, Reeza Hendricks, Marco Jansen, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, Andile Phehlukwayo, Tabraiz Shamsi, Tristan Stubbs and Lizaad Williams.
ODI squad: Aiden Markram (captain), Ottniel Baartman, Nandre Burger, Tony de Zorzi, Reeza Hendricks, Heinrich Klaasen, Keshav Maharaj, Mihlali Mpongwana, David Miller, Wiaan Mulder, Andile Phehlukwayo, Tabraiz Shamsi, Rassie van der Dussen, Kyle Verreynne and Lizaad Williams.
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