Final prep for Proteas in India ahead of T20 World Cup

The Proteas and India will face off in a T20 series and they will go up against each other in a three-match ODI series.

Cricket South Africa recently launched the SA20 and the auction garnered a lot of interest across the cricketing world. The upcoming competition will play a big role in strengthening T20 cricket in South Africa and this series will showcase some of the biggest earning South African stars.

Temba Bavuma, who wasn’t purchased in the recent SA20 auction, will lead the Proteas side again in this series and then Down Under after recovering from an elbow injury.

The batsman understands that his team needs to use this series wisely going into the World Cup starting in the middle of October.

“With this being our last series before the World Cup we will be looking to fill up any gaps that we have in our team,” Bavuma said on the eve of the series opener in Thiruvananthapuram.

“We’ve got guys who have been playing a lot of cricket so we will have to manage those guys’ intensity, but we’ve also got guys who need to get some cricket under their belts.

“This is our last preparation albeit in different conditions but still it is match-time nevertheless.”

Despite not being bought in the recent auction, Bavuma’s not out to prove a personal point on the tour or at the World Cup but rather make sure he is contributing to the team and their success.

“My focus is on the team; I still have the role of captain and that means I need to lead and serve the team as best as I can.

“All focus for me is on the World Cup and making sure that we are in the best space possible going into that tournament.

“I try not give everything else that much attention or energy and at the moment I just need to serve the team as best as I can,” Bavuma mentioned.

The Indian side will be without seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar for the series, but they will have Jasprit Bumrah back in the mix which will be a challenge for the Proteas.

“Facing their (Indian) opening bowlers is quite challenging, they get the ball to move quite a bit during the powerplay – probably a little bit more than what we are accustomed to back home.

“With the new ball that is a challenge you have to manoeuvre around. I think the key is to limit the damage and not allow those wickets to fall and then try and get some momentum into the innings.”