Temba Bavuma South Africa captain will continue to lead the Test team when they visit India in November in a two match series after the veteran batter comes out of injury to head the team. The Proteas will need their leader Bavuma back as he will join the sample of the tour of Pakistan he had missed earlier in the year because of a calf strain. His return gives the company experience and stability badly needed as they set off on what is going to be a hectic tour of the subcontinent.

The injury happened when Bavuma was playing in the series of tests in England in September and this meant the player could not participate in the initial part of the world test champion. When he was away the Proteas played a 1-1 draw in Pakistan indicating bursts of brilliance but again lacking discipline. Back to fitness, Bavuma should prove to be a significant player or at least a leader that has the potential to bring stability to a relatively young and developing team with the bat.

Bavuma will never participate in the white ball series before the Test series in Pakistan. Rather he will receive good match practice by appearing on South Africa A on the field against India A in Bengaluru a first class game which is an absolute necessity before the Tests. The fact that he is there is a twofold goal that he is enabling him to test his fitness in an environment that involves competition and this is providing him with early exposure to Indian pitches which may be very decisive when the main series starts.

The selection of the squad included only a single change made to the unit that was playing in Pakistan. The only change in the batting formation was the replacement of middle-order batter David Bedingham by Bavuma. Although Bedingham has proven a consistent player in the middle order of the South African team, head coach Shukri Conrad underlined that the move was nothing more than a decision that was necessitated by circumstances and strategizing and not form or force. Bedingham who has made 15 Tests and has scored one hundred and four fifties, was not included in the experience. Conrad pointed out that the omission was horses for courses because the batters that were selected, could work best under India conditions.

Conrad said: The guys who did service in Pakistan have proved what they can do, and a case can be argued that every one of them should be re-selected. The rationale that led to their choosing over David is that I believe they will work better under such circumstances. It does not imply that it is the end of the road when it comes to David. His lines emphasise the pragmatism of the coach seeing a needs must be changes over a feeling. Conrad also commended the past performances of Bedingham, especially his efforts at Lords although he once again explained that the choice of the India Tests was only as a result of tactical mindset and suitability of the pitch.

Nevertheless, the words by Conrad on stripping the team selection of emotion were very powerful. Leaving a player out is not an easy task particularly where the player has performed. However you have to look at the crude realities who is going to be the most effective under such circumstances who will most match the opposition. This type of reasoning decision making has become a feature of the Conrad coaching philosophy since he assumed the leadership and the team is an embodiment of this.

The resurgence of Temba Bavuma as captain of South Africa in the cricket team is much needed right now. His leadership has led to positive developments in the team especially in home based conditions but the ability to win in India is a mighty task. His composed nature tactical intuition and grooming young players in the team will play a crucial role as South Africa seek to advance their sub continent record.

And lastly the comeback of Bavuma also has a symbolic meaning. His continuity and belief are part of who he is to a team in transition. The fact that the selectors are confident in his leadership can only be taken to refer to a vision of the Test side in the form of disciplined, flexible and accountable one. With the Proteas geared up to face India the presence of Bavuma has provided them with not just a captain, but also with a stabilising force that can get them through the challenges of the hardest environment of Test cricket.

The members of the South Africa team against India Tests include: Temba Bavuma (captain), Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne, Dewald Brevis, Zubayr Hamza, Tony de Zorzi, Corbin Bosch, Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Senuran Muthusamy, Kagiso Rabada, and Simon Harmer. The Proteas seem to have a well-rounded, knowledgeable and prepared team with this squad, as their attention has turned to regaining the momentum in the Temba Bavuma South Africa captain age.

As well was the inclusion of Zubayr Hamza at the India Tests. His high form and ability to handle spin  which is a vital aspect in India is highlighted by the fact that the right hander recently scored a century against New Zealand A, even though the match involved the South Africa A. According to Conrad, it was the skill of Hamza to deal with spin bowling that made him be chosen. He is a very good spin-player it is nothing more than that, the coach commented. Hamza had narrowly missed playing in Pakistan but failed because of balance of side reasons. His preparation against sub continental conditions gave him deserved call up this time.

South Africa has chosen to have an experience-versatility mix in its bowling department. Spinners Keshav Maharaj, Simon Harmer and Senuran Muthusamy are also retainers as they deliver well in Pakistan. A left sided high spinner, Offspinner Prenelan Subrayen who made his debut in the first test when Maharaj was recovering a groin injury has been sidelined. The trio of Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen, and Corbin Bosch will be the lethal combination on the pace front which will offer speed and variation. It is noteworthy that Lungi Ngidi is still absent since he did not play in the Pakistan series too.

On November 14, it will play the first Test of the series in Kolkata, and then on November 22 in Guwahati. Before the Tests, the South Africans will also face three ODIs and five T20s beforehand leading to time of good preparation on both teams. Inclusion of young talents such as Tristan Stubbs, Dewald Brevis and Tony de Zorzi only highlights the future building effort by the Proteas, as they fight at the same level competitively.

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