AUS vs SA: Temba Bavuma memes flood X as South Africa captain departs for duck in semi-final match

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AUS vs SA: South Africa captain Temba Bavuma won a crucial toss in the second semi-final of the World Cup 2023 at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Thursday, but the Australian pace unit ran riot in their opening spells to take control of the proceedings.

The focus was on Temba Bavuma because of his horrid run in the World Cup 2023 with the bat, and also because he took the field in the high-pressure game despite not being hundred percent fit.

He was seen limping even before walking up for the toss with Australia captain Pat Cummins. Later, Bavuma himself admitted that he wasn't fully fit. Ahead of the match, the opener had scored 145 runs at an average of 20. Except for Bavuma, each of the top five South Africa batters slammed a hundred in the World Cup 2023.

The likes of Gautam Gambhir, Irfan Pathan and Mohammad Kaif in the pre-match show reckoned that Bavuma should have made way for Reeza Hendricks. The idea of him playing despite his poor form and fitness, surprised many.

AUS vs SA: Half-fit Temba Bavuma gets out for duck in semi-final

The under-pressure cricketer was dismissed by Mitchell Starc in the first over. A delivery from Starc took the outside edge of his bat and landed into the gloves of Josh Inglis. Bavuma departed for a four-ball duck.

The wicket created further pressure in tough batting conditions as South Africa were reduced to 24/4 in 11.5 overs. Social media users had a field day and flooded X with Temba Bavuma memes.