It is unfair to throw Brevis into international set-up: Bavuma

South Africa's limited-overs captain Temba Bavuma felt that Under-19 star Dewald Brevis needs to be given time to work on his game in the longest format before imposing the pressures of international cricket.

Dubbed as 'Baby AB', Brevis finished top scorer at the 2022 Under-19 World Cup with 506 runs from six matches. The 20-year old played impressive knocks in the IPL 2022 with Mumbai Indians and finished with 161 runs from seven innings at a strike rate of 142.5.

Bavuma felt that the youngster needs to hone his game in the domestic circuit.

"Dewald is an exciting prospect and set the world alight with his performances at the U-19 level and IPL. It will be important for him to grow and play few first-class games where he can get an understanding of his game. It will be unfair to throw him into international set up and expect him to be like big players," Bavuma told reporters on Tuesday.

Bavuma also spoke about the importance of David Miller to South Africa. The left hander had a sensational IPL 2022 with champions Gujarat Titans with 481 runs from 16 innings at an average of 68.71 and a strike rate of 142.7.

"I think his performances with the Gujarat Titans will do his confidence a world of good. He has won the trophy there so we are very eager to have him," he said.

Miller, who had struggled at the international stage in recent years, mentioned that his IPL form has given him confidence to overcome his insecurities playing for the Proteas. Bavuma said that he will talk to Miller.

"David has always been integral part of the team and the talk about insecurity, we need to have those conversations. He has never expressed about it to me. When it comes to him batting longer, we will talk about him. We will not be trying to stifle or restrict players in any manner. I hope his good performances will continue in the future as well," Bavuma said.

Bavuma also said that the team is prepared well to face pace sensation Umran Malik, who has received his maiden international call-up for the upcoming T20Is.

"Umran Malik is obviously an exciting pace bowling prospect for Indian. IPL has been really good for them as they were unearth pace bowlers like him. At South Africa we grow up with pace bowling excess of 150 kmph and have also bowlers who bowl fast. For their sake, we hope he does great at the international stage," Bavuma said.

India have rested key players such as Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammad Shami for the series. They will face off against a full-strength South African side at home. Bavuma felt that South Africa don't have the luxury to rest their players in build up to the T20 World Cup.

"We don't have the luxury to rest our players, but we need to keep managing (the workload), especially the fast bowlers. I know India have rested few of their big players but the guys who are the team are good as well," Bavuma said.

"We have been preparing as well as we can. The guys who have been in the IPL have just joined and we have a couple of days to get used to the conditions in India."

India and South Africa will face off in the first T20I on June 9 at Delhi.