Because the ICC Males’s T20 World Cup 2026 approaches, South Africa have formally unveiled their 15-member squad, aiming to lastly safe their first international title. Led by Aiden Markram, the choice contains a heavy emphasis on uncooked tempo, however the inclusion of stars like Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje has been overshadowed by a serious choice controversy.
South African legend Dale Steyn has publicly voiced his frustration over the exclusion of a sure in-form pacer, resulting in a heated debate throughout social media. Whereas the Proteas have opted for high-velocity choices, the absence of one of the constant performers within the home circuit has left followers and specialists questioning the group’s steadiness. This choice is especially surprising given the bowler’s record-breaking run within the ongoing SA20 season.
Dale Steyn fumes over pacer’s omission from South Africa’s T20 World Cup 2026 squad
On January 6, 2026, Steyn took to X (previously Twitter) to specific his disbelief on the snub of Ottneil Baartman, a participant he mentored as a bowling coach for 3 seasons at Sunrisers Japanese Cape. Steyn argued that Baartman has advanced into “certainly one of SA’s greatest white-ball bowlers” and that his omission is unimaginable to justify given his present type. “He’s the very best wicket-taker in SA20, gained the league twice and made a remaining… That’s a comp that has 4 worldwide gamers plus all of the Proteas! He’s no 1,” Steyn tweeted. The legendary pacer emphasised that whereas Baartman is delivering “top of the range” performances towards the world’s greatest batters, he’ll unfairly be “sitting house” throughout the marquee match in India and Sri Lanka.
We actually want to start out taking a look at Baartman as certainly one of SA’s greatest white ball bowlers.
He’s the very best wicket taker in SA20, gained the league twice and made a remaining, let me remind you, that’s a comp that has 4 INTERNATIONAL gamers (usually batters) plus all of the PROTEAS! He’s quantity…
— Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62) January 5, 2026
Steyn’s endorsement centered on Baartman’s distinctive capability to execute pinpoint yorkers and variations that set him aside from the ‘uncooked pace’ bowlers favored by the selectors. He identified that Baartman’s tactical execution makes him just about unplayable within the loss of life overs, a section the place the Proteas have traditionally struggled. Steyn’s put up sparked an enormous response from the cricketing neighborhood, with many agreeing that the choice panel, led by Patrick Moroney, might have prioritized repute over latest statistical dominance. By labeling Baartman the nation’s greatest, Steyn has put immense strain on the chosen tempo assault to justify their inclusion when the match kicks off subsequent month.
Additionally READ: 8 South African gamers who featured in T20 World Cup 2024 however gained’t play in 2026 version
Unequalled home dominance for the excluded pacer
The numbers actually help Steyn’s outrage, as Baartman has formally change into the main wicket-taker in SA20 historical past throughout the 2025-26 season. Now enjoying for the Paarl Royals, Baartman has already claimed 11 wickets in simply 4 matches at a outstanding common of 12.27, not too long ago surpassing Marco Jansen to take the highest spot with 52 profession wickets within the competitors. His worldwide report is equally spectacular; since his T20I debut in Could 2024, the 32-year-old has taken 22 wickets in 17 matches at a mean of 21.59. Regardless of being a key a part of the squad that reached the World Cup remaining 2024, he has featured in solely 11 of South Africa’s final 29 matches, a development that has now culminated in a complete exclusion from the 2026 international showpiece.
Additionally READ: England unveils provisional squad for T20 World Cup 2026, no place for Jamie Smith
