‘I am not who walks away from adversity……’ – Temba Bavuma refuses to step down as South Africa skipper after poor stint in ODI World Cup 2023

South Africa cricket team has delivered great performances in the ODI World Cup 2023, as they were able to win seven matches out of nine of the league stages. However, they suffered two defeats against hosts India and the Netherlands, and despite that, they placed themselves in the second spot in the league stage of the points table. Following that, they had a loss over Australia in the semi-finals ending their journey in the tournament.

However, following the shocking exit, South African skipper Temba Bavuma has hit back at critics who were questioning his captaincy. The top-order batter clarifies that it is a terrible thought for him to leave the captaincy after the ODI World Cup 2023 debacle. Moreover, the right-handed batter affirms that he is not the kind of person who just walks away from any adversity. The 33-year-old cricketer says that he does not pay any attention to people who have shouted on social media about his captaincy.

I have played games for the country with broken fingers and done well: Temba Bavuma

“For me to step down in a World Cup semifinal, that thought is strange. I am not someone who is going to walk away from adversity, I am not someone who is going to answer calls from people shouting on Twitter or Facebook. 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,” Temba Bavuma said.

Temba Bavuma also clarified that he will not leave his captaincy despite being injured. Moreover, the opening batter clarifies that it will be an excuse to leave captaincy owing to injury problems.

“I have played games for the country with broken fingers and done well. 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] of our exit from the competition is crazy, with all due respect,” he added further.