A captain is only as good as their team raises questions about why this particular captain is not performing as well as his team. Is it merely media reports fueling the criticism, or is there a deeper issue at play, such as the suggestion that he got the captaincy due to reservations?
it’s essential to examine his World Cup performances. Some scores appear to be barely more than a pin code, with an unimpressive average of just 18 in 8 matches. Notably, a zero against Australia in the semi-finals added salt to his injured form.
let’s assess his T20 World Cup performance from last year, where his contribution was minor, totaling just 70 runs in 5 matches. The question arises: is he just a quota player, as some suggest?
Understanding the historical context of racial segregation in South African cricket is crucial. Apartheid policies divided cricket along racial lines until the early 1990s. The readmission of South Africa into international cricket came with requirements for racial quotas in the team, with at least six non-white players, two of whom must be black Africans.
In this context, Temba Bavuma became the first black African to captain South Africa. However, under his captaincy, the team’s performance remained neutral, similar to the periods when Quinton was captain, and Miller did his bit. South African cricket has witnessed a pattern of frequently overthrowing captains.
During the T20 World Cup in 2021, South Africa failed to qualify for the semis. Critics sought a scapegoat, and Bavuma bore the brunt. While some players like De Kock, Markram, and Miller performed well, not every player can contribute in every game. Bavuma played 8 out of 9 matches, winning 7, with losses against the Netherlands and India. However, his contribution was not solely with the bat.
Critics unfairly compared Bavuma’s performances with other South African domestic players. Just before the World Cup, he had a fantastic stint as a batter and captain against Australia, winning the series.
However, criticisms include Bavuma’s handling of his injury, which confused the Proteas unit. While he may be a selfless player, letting an injury aggravate can be viewed as a vulnerability. The potential benefits of having a player on the sidelines for the team should also be acknowledged.
Concerns extend to Bavuma’s captaincy actions, particularly in team selections, especially regarding the bowling unit. From Tabrez Shamsi’s selection to handling Nortje, the Proteas appeared to panic in their last three games against India, Afghanistan, and Australia in the semis.
It is disheartening to witness a team with significant talent decline in crucial matches. In the end, Bavuma can only be as good as his team, and the truth is that the Proteas disappointed their six million fans watching their players fall short.