AB backs Bavuma at T20 World Cup: 'His form will come at the right time'

Former Proteas skipper AB de Villiers has come out in full support of under-fire Temba Bavuma as the current limited overs national captain desperately searches for form ahead of the T20 World Cup, which takes place in Australia later this month. 

After returning to the national side from injury, Bavuma only managed scores of 0,0 and 3 in the recently concluded T20 series against India that South Africa lost 2-1.

READ | Proteas showing out of touch Bavuma 'some love', confident he can regain form in ODIs

With Reeza Hendricks in red-hot form recently, there have been calls that he should open the batting with Quinton de Kock instead of Bavuma.

Speaking on Twitter Spaces, De Villiers came out in full support of Bavuma.

"I think it's a question on everyone's lips at the moment - is Temba the right guy," De Villiers said. 

"All of a sudden, you start seeing your name in the newspapers, you start hearing friends talking about your form, and you start doubting whether you belong there or not.

"But if you guys think about it, to have come to where he is now, you must have a lot of desire and a lot of determination, and there must be something very special inside of you.

"So for Temba to be the captain of South Africa already is a massive achievement," he added.

De Villiers felt, however, that Bavuma would come right, saying that he had seen many fairy-tales play out on the cricket field and that the T20 World Cup was no better place for him to turn his form around. 

"There are some fairy-tales that I've seen on the cricket field before, especially from people being out of form going into big tournaments," said De Villiers. 

"So I do believe that Temba is the right man for the job. I believe his form will come at the right time, at the