I'd like to play in the IPL: Temba Bavuma

South Africa's white-ball captain Temba Bavuma has drifted his side through rough waters ever since his appointment in 2021, after Quinton de Kock vanquished his role. 

Currently in India to play a 5-T20I series against the hosts, Bavuma has made his ambitions to play in the Indian Premier League (IPL) clear, apart from ensuring that the Proteas are ready and well oiled by the time the ICC T20 World Cup 2022 arrives.

In an interview with Cricket Monthly, Bavuma said, "I'd like to play there. The stronger my performances, the more realistic the opportunity becomes. I've also developed this fantasy of captaining a team. I don't know where that comes from. I'd like to get that experience as well. But I kinda need to get into a team before that happens!"

Speaking about the T20I series and South Africa's roadmap for the mega event in Australia, Bavuma said, "These games are definitely important. As a T20 squad, It's the first time we'll be together since the World Cup,"

I guess just that experience of being together, us reminding ourselves of the good things that we did, how we go about playing cricket and also seeing the new faces that are within the squad, to see how those guys can come in and add value. That's an exciting prospect,"

The Bavuma-led side narrowly missed out on a semi-finals spot in the last T20 World Cup in the UAE, finishing third in Group A with 8 points behind Australia and England, missing out due to a low net run rate.

Bavuma spoke about the Indian spinners being tough to face when asked about his most feared bowlers.

"That's always a tricky one because you are still playing with the guys. You don't want to give them an edge. The Indian spinners in India are quite tough. You could choose any of those guys. Stuart Broad is a tricky bowler. So I'll stick with those two," the 32-year-old said.

With the ICC World Cup scheduled in South Africa in 2027, the right-hander hoped that he could still keep on playing for his county if the body supported him.

"It would be nice, but that's very, very far away. I'd like to play for as long as my body and performances allow me to. What that number is, I don't know," he added.

The first T20I of the tour will take place at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on June 9. The rest of the games will be played on June 12,14,17, and 19 across four cities.