South Africa have dealt a major blow after their middle-order batsman Temba Bavuma fractured his finger during a domestic One Day International on January 17. The Proteas batsman has been ruled out of the third and final Test of the three-match series against India. The hosts have won the series 2-0.
Bavuma will be sidelined for at least three to four weeks till full recovery. However, Bavuma will continue to be a part of the Test squad, with the national selectors opting not to name his replacement, as media reports suggest.
The middle-order batsmen was a part of the Test squad but never started for either of the playing XI against the Virat Kohli led Team India.
Theunis de Bruyn, who is the extra batsman in the squad, is likely to open the innings for South Africa in the final Test, beginning at the Wanderers Stadium on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Bavuma is expected to recover in time for the four-match Test series against Australia, starting March 1 at the Kingsmead Cricket Ground in Durban.
(With ANI Inputs)
