South Africa seamer Nandre Burger has suffered a hamstring injury during the second ODI of the three-match series against India in Raipur. Early assessments, as reported by ESPNcricinfo, indicate that the left-arm pacer has injured his right hamstring, potentially affecting the remainder of his season.
Burger struggled during the 39th over of the innings, grimacing in pain while running in and unable to land on his right leg. After delivering the first ball of his seventh over, he pulled up and hobbled off the field with the team physiotherapist. Aiden Markram had to complete the remaining five deliveries of the over in his absence.
The 30-year-old, who was not originally named in South Africa’s five-match T20I squad following the ODI series, will now also miss the third and final ODI on Saturday, December 6. With Burger sidelined, Anrich Nortje could return to the T20I XI.
South Africa’s pace-bowling department has already been depleted, with Kagiso Rabada ruled out due to a niggle and Gerald Coetzee left out by the selection committee due to fitness concerns. Burger has been a key component of the Proteas’ bowling attack, and his absence leaves a significant void.
Burger has also faced a history of injuries. He missed nearly a year of competitive cricket from October 2024 to September 2025 due to a stress fracture in his lower back. He also sat out the previous SA20 season, though Joburg Super Kings re-signed him for R6.3 million ahead of the 2025 edition.
