'He can't be sitting at home' - Dale Steyn questions Ottneil Baartman’s T20 World Cup snub

Published - 06 Jan 2026, 09:26 IST | Updated - 06 Jan 2026, 09:46 IST

Legendary South African pacer Dale Steyn has questioned the exclusion of Ottneil Baartman from the Proteas’ squad for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, calling the decision hard to justify given Baartman's consistent performances in white-ball cricket.

Baartman was part of South Africa’s squad that finished runners-up to India in the 2024 T20 World Cup final in Barbados. However, since that tournament, the 32-year-old has featured in only 11 of South Africa’s 29 T20Is. Despite strong domestic performances, he was left out of the 15-member squad for the 2026 edition, to be held in India and Sri Lanka. The selection panel opted for a pace-heavy attack featuring Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Marco Jansen, Anrich Nortje, Corbin Bosch, and teenage left-armer Kwena Maphaka.

The right-armer omission has come despite his outstanding record in the SA20. He recently became the tournament’s leading wicket-taker, surpassing Marco Jansen, and has been one of the most consistent bowlers across editions. Steyn, who worked closely with Baartman as his bowling coach at Sunrisers Eastern Cape for three seasons, opened up about his omission from the national squad for the marquee event.

"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.

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…

The Oudtshoorn-born recently bowled a match-winning spell for Paarl Royals against MI Cape Town at Newlands, finishing with figures of 2 for 8 in 2.4 overs. Paarl Royals captain David Miller sympathised with his teammate, noting how difficult such omissions can be, but praised Baartman’s professionalism in continuing to perform.