Temba Bavuma to step down as skipper? Ex-Proteas pacer drops bold verdict after CT 2025 semi-final loss

Former pacer Vernon Philander backed Temba Bavuma to continue leading South Africa in ODIs despite their Champions Trophy 2025 semi-final loss. Philander said that Bavuma still has a few years left to be the captain and cautioned against making any hasty decisions about his leadership.

New Zealand scored 362 runs against South Africa in the second semi-final match in Lahore on March 5. In response, Temba Bavuma scored 56 runs off 71 balls at a strike rate of 78.87. David Miller smashed an unbeaten 100 runs off just 67 deliveries, but the Proteas lost the knockout match by 50 runs.

Temba Bavuma Is a Fantastic Leader - Vernon Philander

Speaking on ESPNcricinfo's Match Day show, Vernon Philander described Temba Bavuma as a fantastic leader. Philander stated that Bavuma led well in Test cricket, where South Africa will compete in the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 final against Australia in June.

"I think he's a fantastic leader," Philander said of Bavuma on ESPNcricinfo's Match Day show.

"I think what he has done over the last 24 months is that he has started to win that change room over. I think he's done phenomenally well in the Test match arena [where they will play the 2025 championship final] and I don't think we play near enough ODI cricket to play judgement down on it.

Temba Bavuma Has Been a Wonderful Player for South Africa - Vernon Philander

Philander said that Bavuma has been a key player for South Africa in ODI cricket. The former cricketer said that South Africa heavily relied on his form throughout the tournament.

"But if you look at his numbers, you look at his records in ODI cricket, I think he has been a wonderful player for South Africa. I think he has led from the front with the bat," Philander stated.

"Of course, this evening he just couldn't get going, but yeah they were heavily reliant on his form to get South Africa to where they are this evening - obviously falling one hurdle short of another final," he continued.

Temba Bavuma Still Has a Couple of Years Left in Him - Vernon Philander

Philander said that Cricket South Africa (CSA) will need to assess their approach and preparation for ICC tournaments. The cricketer-turned-commentator said that better planning and execution can improve South Africa's performances in major events.

"But I wouldn't make a call too early. It's still early days. I think Temba still has a couple of years left in him," Philander said. "I just think Cricket South Africa will need to have an overall look at the way they approach, the way they prepare [for ICC tournaments]."

"And that starts from the top - from your coaches, from your video analysis: 'What's going to make my players more effective?' and then you give the charge over to the captain and say 'off you go'. So yeah, I just think a lot more planning that needs to be taking place heading into these tournaments."

South Africa’s Champions Trophy semifinal loss to New Zealand was their fourth major ICC knockout defeat in two years. They were eliminated by Australia in the ODI World Cup 2023 semifinal. The team lost the 2024 T20 World Cup final against India in a nail-biting encounter.

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