IND vs SA: Herschelle Gibbs Hits Back At Fan For Comparing Him To Temba Bavuma

South African skipper Temba Bavuma is not a part of the team’s ODI squad that is currently playing an ODI series against India. The hosts are 0-1 down in the series after losing the first ODI in Johannesburg.

India leveled the T20I series against the Proteas heading into the ODI series. Bavuma last played for South Africa in the World Cup where he led the side to the semi-final. South Africa lost to Australia in the second semi-final in Kolkata to end their World Cup hopes.

Temba Bavuma, the skipper hardly played an impactful innings but was very active in using and rotating his bowlers well throughout the World Cup campaign. He scored just 145 runs in 8 matches in the tournament with a best of 35.

Temba Bavuma is currently the full-time all-format skipper for South Africa. However, he decided to skip the ODI series after consultation with Cricket South Africa. He is currently preparing for two World Test Championship matches, starting in Centurion on December 26.

“We have a busy summer ahead starting with the India vs South Africa T20 International series 2023 followed by India vs South Africa One day International series 2023 and we have therefore taken the decision to omit several of our senior players. This decision was taken together with coach Shukri as we place emphasis on the red-ball leg of the tour, meaning they will instead be preparing for the Test series by playing domestic cricket,” said Walter.

The South African Test coach Shukri Conrad further spoke about the new World Test Championship cycle and the willingness of the players to make a good start.

“It is the start of a new ICC World Test Championship cycle and that itself is a huge incentive for everyone. We want to try and ensure we make a strong start to this sequence here at home against one of the best teams in the world” he said.

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Meanwhile, former South African opener Herschelle Gibbs took an indirect dig at Temba Bavuma over his performances across formats. The right-hander unfortunately has not been consistent across formats inviting a lot of criticism on his intent with the bat. His consistent failures in the World Cup have perhaps triggered Gibbs to have an all-out attack on him.

Herschelle Gibbs’ Scathing Attack On Temba Bavuma

Taking to X, Gibbs wrote “Talk to me when he reaches 35 international 100s, until then take a permanent holiday on twitter .. bye now,” which was almost an insult to Bavuma’s record with the bat.

Talk to me when he reaches 35 international 100s, until then take a permanent holiday on twitter .. bye now ??

— Herschelle Gibbs (@hershybru) December 18, 2023

A random Twitter did back his comment saying that Test cricket is the ultimate Test for a batter.

You're dealing with people who probably started watching cricket in the last 2 years, don't know the difference between a test and a T20 and who still wet their beds

— Luke du Toit (@Luke_du_Toit) December 18, 2023

“You’re dealing with people who probably started watching cricket in the last 2 years, don’t know the difference between a test and a T20 and who still wet their beds,” the fan wrote.

Bavuma averages 35.26 in 56 Test matches, 44.47 across 38 ODIs, and just 20-odd in 36 T20Is. In many of these matches, he has played as captain. Overall, Bavuma has seven international tons while Gibbs scored 21 ODI tons and 35 centuries overall.

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