Faf Du Plessis of South Africa has hinted that he may make a comeback to the national squad ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, which will be held in the West Indies and the United States next year.
While Du Plessis never formally retired from white-ball cricket, he did not make the South African squads in the last two T20 World Cups. It should be mentioned that Du Plessis led South Africa to two T20 World Cup victories in 2014 and 2016.
He stated that he had discussed his return to the international team with new South Africa white-ball coach Rob Walter.
“I believe that I can return to international cricket,” du Plessis told the Abu Dhabi T10 league’s broadcaster.
“We’ve been talking about it for a number of years. It’s simply determining the balance of the T20 World Cup next year. It’s absolutely something we’ve discussed with the incoming coach.”
South Africa’s final game for Du Plessis was the second Test against Pakistan in Rawalpindi in 2021. He last played for the Proteas in limited overs cricket at the end of 2020, when South Africa hosted England in a T20I in Cape Town.
The 39-year-old was the second greatest run scorer in the 2023 Indian Premier League, trailing only Shubman Gill, with 730 runs from 14 innings for Royal Challengers Bangalore.
Despite never officially retiring from white-ball cricket, the 39-year-old captained South Africa in the 2014 and 2016 T20 World Cups but was not considered for the tournament’s last two editions.
South Africa coach Walter said earlier this week that du Plessis, Quinton de Kock, and Rilee Rossouw will be considered for the T20 World Cup.
“Given that some of our frontline bowlers are missing out and there are guys – let me throw it out there just to create some media hype – like Faf (du Plessis) and Rilee (Rossouw) as well as Quinny (De Kock) that could well be considered for a T20 World Cup and then also the SA20 that happens next year – 80% of the side picks itself but there is definitely a space for other guys to get themselves into the conversation,” Walter went on to say.
