ODI World Cup 2023

Temba Bavuma refuses to step down as South Africa skipper and calls out critics

South Africa skipper Temba Bavuma has let out a fiery statement while slamming his critics. The South Africans were knocked out of the ODI World Cup 2023 at the semi-final stage by eventual champions Australia.

Despite leading his side to the final stages of the tournament, Temba Bavuma has been criticized. The South African skipper though has decided to fight fire with fire as he refused to step down from the national captaincy.

The 33-year-old recently spoke to the media and had a go at these critics mostly the fans who have gone after him on social media. South Africa is set to host the next ODI World Cup in October and November of 2027 along with Zimbabwe and Namibia.

Temba Bavuma stays defiant –

Australia won the second semi-final against South Africa by 3 wickets to go to the final against India and win the ODI World Cup 2023 tournament. South African skipper Temba Bavuma is under pressure to step down as the skipper of the side.

Speaking to the media, the 33-year-old said “I have said it from the beginning that if any of the guys stood there and said, ‘Temba, you are not the man for the job as captain,’ then I would happily walk away. These are the bunch of guys who we have been together since 2020.”

Temba Bavuma also took potshots at fans who had been having a go at him on various social media platforms. “We know each other through and through, and we know what we play for. I am not the guy who is on Twitter or Facebook. Yes, I wasn’t 100%, but if you know anything about professional cricket you will know guys don’t play cricket at 100% all the time. I have played games for the country with broken fingers and done well.

The Proteas skipper also said “I don’t know what the metric is to judge someone if they’re captaining well. We won the most games in the group stage out of any South African team. We beat teams that haven’t been beaten in a while in World Cups so what metrics are we going to use to judge whether a guy is using the job as the captain?*

Temba Bavuma concluded his speech by saying “People have never questioned when I have played a series with a groin injury and done well. So, for that to be used as an excuse for the reason for our exit from the competition is crazy, with all due respect.”