Ex-South Africa Captain Suggests Possible Comeback for T20 World Cup

Faf du Plessis, the former captain of South Africa’s cricket team, has opened up about the possibility of returning to international cricket in time for the next ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. Du Plessis has been absent from international matches since his last Test appearance for South Africa against Pakistan in Rawalpindi in 2021, with his most recent T20 International game being against England in Cape Town at the end of 2020.

Despite being 39 years old, du Plessis has shown impressive form in domestic cricket. He recently scored 730 runs in 14 innings for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League, ranking second in runs scored in this year’s tournament, just behind Shubman Gill.

Currently playing in a domestic tournament in Abu Dhabi, du Plessis has been in talks with South Africa’s new white-ball coach, Rob Walter, about a potential return to international cricket, especially with the T20 World Cup in the USA and West Indies approaching next year.

Du Plessis expressed his belief in his ability to make a comeback, citing ongoing discussions about his participation in the upcoming T20 World Cup. He has not officially retired from international white-ball cricket and led South Africa in the T20 World Cup in 2014 and 2016, though he was not selected for the last two editions of the tournament.

Rob Walter has recently hinted at the possibility of du Plessis and other experienced players returning to the national team, especially considering the absence of some key bowlers for South Africa’s tour of India. Walter mentioned players like du Plessis, Rilee Rossouw, and Quinton de Kock as potential candidates for the T20 World Cup team.

While du Plessis is no longer on a central playing contract with South Africa, his record of 23 international centuries in various formats and his commitment to maintaining his fitness level speak to his readiness to return to playing for his country. He emphasizes the importance of hard work and physical preparation, especially as players age, to compete at the highest level.