Bavuma and Test captain Dean Elgar went unsold at the SA20 auction.
Many South African stars were in demand at the auction, with Tristan Stubbs becoming the most expensive purchase for Rand 9.2 million or USD 520,000 approx. by Sunrisers East Cape.
However, the two most important players and national captains Dean Elgar and Temba Bavuma went unsold in the auction. Bavuma fetching no buyers shocked fans and former cricketers alike, as the right-handed batter is the side's skipper in ODIs and T20Is.
Bavuma, who will be leading South Africa on their recent tour of India and then in the T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia, said that he felt disappointed and “let down” at remaining unsold in the auction.
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"I'd be lying if I said I didn't have any feelings of disappointment. Obviously, one is expected to play a role in the tournament. But it's not just me, it's Andile (Phehlukwayo) too, a man who's played a lot of white-ball cricket for South Africa. From my side, there are feelings of disappointment,” Bavuma said on Thursday, as South Africa prepare to fly to India for three T20Is and as many ODIs.
Bavuma insisted that he doesn't feel “entitled” to be picked in the auction, but is calming himself down from making any rushed statements about the snub. He further said that the priority for him and the South African team remains the upcoming tour of India and the T20 World Cup 2022.
"I almost feel let down in a way. I don't think it comes down to any entitlement on my side. “I also have to caution myself from delving too deep into it. It's probably not the right time. As much as I want to perhaps speak about the issue too, it's not the right time. Our focus is India and the T20 World Cup.
Again, I'm cautioning myself to delve too deep into the matter. Whenever the right time comes, I'll look more into it. I feel disappointed and let down,” said Bavuma.
(Hindustan Times inputs)