Faf du Plessis, the former captain of the South African cricket team, is thinking about making a comeback to international cricket in time for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup next year. The 39-year-old cricketer hasn’t played for South Africa since the second Test against Pakistan in Rawalpindi in 2021, and his last white-ball match was a T20I contest against England in Cape Town at the end of 2020.
Despite his absence from international matches, du Plessis has been performing well at the domestic level. In the recent Indian Premier League (IPL), he was the second-highest run-scorer, contributing 730 runs for Royal Challengers Bangalore from 14 innings. Currently participating in a domestic tournament in Abu Dhabi, du Plessis has engaged in discussions with South Africa’s new white-ball coach, Rob Walter, regarding a potential return to the international scene before the T20 World Cup in the USA and West Indies next year.
Expressing his belief in his ability to make a successful return, du Plessis said, “I believe that I can return to international cricket. We have been speaking about this for the last couple of years. It’s just figuring out the balance of the T20 World Cup next year. It’s certainly something we have spoken about with the new coach.”
Having captained South Africa in the T20 World Cups of 2014 and 2016, du Plessis has not been considered for the last two editions of the tournament. Despite not officially retiring from international white-ball cricket, he remains hopeful of a comeback. Rob Walter, the new coach, has hinted at the possibility of bringing back experienced players like du Plessis for the T20 World Cup.
Walter mentioned, “Given that some of our frontline bowlers are missing out and there are guys – like Faf (du Plessis) and Rilee (Rossouw) as well as Quinny (de Kock) that could well be considered for a T20 World Cup.” He also highlighted the upcoming South African domestic tournament (SA20) as an opportunity for players to stake their claim for a spot in the national team.
Even though du Plessis doesn’t have a central playing contract with South Africa anymore, his impressive track record includes 23 international centuries across all formats. Confident in his physical condition, he believes he is still in good shape to compete at the highest level. Du Plessis emphasized the importance of hard work to maintain his fitness, especially as he gets older. He stated, “I do a lot of hard work to ensure I look after my body to be able to play this brilliant game we love so much. When you do get a little bit older, you have to make sure you put in the work.”
The discussion around du Plessis’s potential return adds an intriguing dimension to South Africa’s cricketing landscape. The fact that he has been actively participating in domestic tournaments and performing well in the IPL signals his commitment and determination to wear the national colors again. The possibility of experienced players like du Plessis making a comeback not only injects a wealth of experience into the team but also presents a new narrative for South African cricket enthusiasts.
Faf du Plessis is seriously contemplating a return to international cricket, particularly for the T20 World Cup. The conversations with the new coach, Rob Walter, indicate a mutual interest in exploring this option. Du Plessis’s recent form in domestic tournaments and the IPL, coupled with his dedication to maintaining fitness, suggest that he could add value to the South African team. As discussions unfold and decisions are made, cricket fans await the potential return of the former skipper to the international stage with anticipation and excitement.
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