A major controversy has loomed over the South Africa national cricket team after Otniel Baartman opened up about his shocking exclusion from the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 squad and the complete lack of communication from the selectors and head coach Shukri Conrad.
Selection storm in South Africa, Otniel Baartman reveals ignoring ICC T20 World Cup 2026
Shukri Conrad surprised everyone by leaving out some of the most in-form players including Otniel Bartman, Ryan Rickelton and Tristan Stubbs for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka.
The decision raised many questions, especially as Bartman, Rickelton and Stubbs were in tremendous form for their respective teams in the ongoing SA20 2025-26. Rickelton is currently the tournament’s leading run-scorer, with 324 runs to his name.
Also read: South Africa T20 World Cup squad: Why was Tristan Stubbs overlooked? Selection policy under question
Otniel Bartman on fire in SA20 2025-26
Otniel Bartman, on the other hand, has been even more excellent with the ball. The 32-year-old fast bowler is currently the top wicket-taker in the ongoing SA20 2025-26 with 16 wickets at a remarkable average of 9.44 in just five matches.
Bartman has been in excellent form and difficult to ignore, yet despite being a part of South Africa’s tour of India last month, he did not find a place in South Africa’s T20 World Cup squad. But what made the situation worse was the Proteas star’s revelation about how his gaffe was handled.
Surprisingly, Bartman said that no one from the coaching staff or selection panel spoke to him before or after the India tour. The star bowler also revealed that he has not had any conversation with the selectors or the head coach regarding his shocking omission from the T20 World Cup squad.
Bartman made these revelations after Paarl Royals’ six-wicket win over Pretoria Capitals in the SA20 encounter in Centurion, where the fast bowler produced a player of the match performance (5/16 in 4 overs).
Also read: AB de Villiers caught vaping live on TV, panicked after realizing he was on camera during SA20 match
I wish them all the best: ICC T20 World Cup 2026 insult fails to shake Bartman
Despite the snub, Bartman remains positive and is focused on performing well in the ongoing SA20 2025-26 and wishes the Proteas team all the best for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026.
Otniel Baartman said in the post-match press conference at Centurion: “Obviously, the World Cup is a different story. But what I can do is wish them all the best on their journey to the World Cup. Good luck to them to win it and enjoy it. Give it all your best. And yes, hopefully bring it home.”
He further added, “I wasn’t too disappointed. I didn’t think at first that I would be selected. Obviously, I didn’t interact with the coaches and selectors. But yes, obviously, people will be disappointed. But for me, I want to take it easy day by day.”
No calls, no conversations: Otniel Bartman goes completely dark
Asked if he was completely in the dark about his non-selection and when he last interacted with Shukri Conrad or the selectors, the South African star said that no one had talked to him before or after the recent India tour or even about T20 World Cup selection.
Bartman said, “To be honest, I never had any conversation with him. Obviously, the selector called me when I was picked for the Indian series. But before that, no one spoke to me. So yes, as I said, the World Cup is a different story for me. As I said, no one really spoke to me before that or after that. So yes, can’t say anything else on that.”
