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Dale Steyn questions Ottniel Baartman's shock T20 World Cup squad exclusion

South African cricket legend Dale Steyn has publicly questioned the national selectors' decision to omit fast bowler Ottniel Baartman from the T20 World Cup squad. Baartman is currently the leading wicket-taker in the ongoing SA20 league, having taken 11 wickets in four matches. Despite being part of the squad that reached the 2024 final, Baartman has found himself sidelined in recent selections. Steyn, who coached Baartman at Sunrisers Eastern Cape, argues the pacer should be considered one of the country's premier white-ball bowlers.

Key Points: Steyn questions Baartman's T20 World Cup omission

  • Baartman is SA20's top wicket-taker
  • Excluded from Proteas' 15-man World Cup squad
  • Steyn was his former bowling coach
  • South Africa opts for other pace options
  • Baartman was in the 2024 final squad
2 min read

"We really need to start looking at Baartman...": Dale Steyn questions SA pacer's exclusion from T20 World Cup squad

Dale Steyn criticizes South Africa for leaving top SA20 wicket-taker Ottniel Baartman out of their T20 World Cup squad.

"We really need to start looking at Baartman as one of SA's best white ball bowlers. - Dale Steyn"

Cape Town, January 6

South African legend Dale Steyn has questioned speedster Ottniel Baartman's exclusion from the Proteas 15-member squad for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka.

The right-arm pacer Baartman is the leading wicket-taker in the ongoing SA20 League 2025-26 season. In four matches for Paarl Royals, the pacer has taken 11 wickets at an economy rate of 9.20.

Baartman was part of the 2024 Proteas group, which lost to India in the T20 World Cup final in Barbados. Since then, the pacer has played in only 11 of South Africa's 29 matches and finds himself on the outside as they hope to go one better next month.

The Proteas have gone with a pace-heavy squad in the upcoming T20 World Cup. However, Baartman didn't make the squad, as Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Khweza Maphaka, and Anrich Nortje were included.

Steyn, who was Baartman's bowling coach for the first three editions of the SA20 at Sunrisers Eastern Cape (SEC), said he needs to be looked at as one of SA's best white-ball bowlers.

"We really need to start looking at Baartman as one of SA's best white ball bowlers. He's the highest wicket taker in SA20, won the league twice and made a final, let me remind you, that's a comp that has 4 INTERNATIONAL players (often batters) plus all the PROTEAS! He's number 1. Thats TOP quality, but he'll be sitting home for this years 20/20 WC," the former South African cricketer wrote on X.

Baartman made his T20I debut against the West Indies at Kingston in May 2024. Since then, he has played 17 T20Is and picked up 22 wickets at an average of 21.59. The 32-year-old has an economy of 8.21, including two four-wicket hauls.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
As a cricket fan, I find this baffling. His stats speak for themselves – 11 wickets in 4 matches is phenomenal form. You pick players who are hot, not just on reputation. Big mistake by the selectors.
A
Ananya R
Yaar, this is so unfair! The man is in red-hot form. Winning the league twice is no joke. Maybe they think he's too old at 32? But experience matters in World Cups, especially in Indian conditions. Feel for him.
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Vikram M
With all due respect to the selectors, I have to agree with Steyn here. You need wicket-takers. Rabada and Nortje are world class, but form is temporary. Baartman has the current form. Could be a tactical blunder.
K
Karthik V
Maybe they are looking at his economy rate? 9.20 in SA20 and 8.21 in T20Is is on the higher side for a specialist bowler. In a World Cup, containing runs in the death overs is crucial. That might be the reason.
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Michael C
Steyn knows what he's talking about – he coached him! If your own bowling legend is vouching for him, you should listen. South Africa always finds a way to create drama before a big tournament. 😅 Good for other teams I guess!

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