World Cup 2023: IPL 2023 Orange Cap leader may be enjoying stellar success in T20s but he is not looking forward to returning to ODIs anytime soon. Hence, despite popular demands, the Royal Challengers Bangalore captain won’t be wearing South Africa jersey anytime soon, certainly not in ODI World Cup in October. Follow IPL 2023 LIVE Updates on InsideSport.IN.
As per a Cricbuzz report, World Cup is not even part of Du Plessis’ plans. Since playing his last international match on the Pakistan tour in 2021, he had a fallout with then coach Mark Boucher and Cricket South Africa chief Graeme Smith. Ultimately, he decided to follow AB de Villiers’ mercenary route.
“I’ll talk about it more when the time is right. Now it’s not needed as I’m currently at the IPL,” Du Plessis told Cricbuzz.
While Faf du Plessis retired from Tests, he never retired from ODIs and T20s. Hence, there was a possibility of his return to the fold back in 2021. He was close to returning to the T20 squad. But it was reported that he could not agree terms with CSA. As a result, he missed out on T20 WC 2021 and was not even considered for the World Cup last year.
Why is Faf du Plessis not considering World Cup 2023 return?
- The ex-Proteas captain’s stellar form has prompted calls of an international return.
- With 576 runs, he is on the top of IPL 2023 Orange Cap leaderboard.
- However, his fallout with the previous coach Mark Boucher and lack of support from the CSA meant, he did not feature in plans for the last two T20 World Cups despite his intentions to return.
- Instead, he has now learned from the fallout between CSA and AB de Villiers and is ready to let go of the Protean dream.
- However, current Proteas coach Rob Walter is open to the idea of Du Plessis’ return even though he has all but dismissed the idea.
With another World Cup, there was a buzz that Faf du Plessis could reconsider his stance. But the RCB skipper has not even considered the move as he is aware of the fallout between AB de Villiers and CSA. It was left to him and then coach Ottis Gibson to answer the media on a potential AB de Villiers return to ODIs for 2019 World Cup.
Du Plessis wants to avoid a repeat of that and derail Temba Bavuma’s campaign in India in October. Instead, his focus remains on RCB and their qualification for IPL playoffs and his contracts with various franchises across the globe.
What did South Africa coach Rob Walter say?
The current Protean coach Rob Walter like previous coaches is open to the idea of Du Plessis donning the green jersey again. However, he has also all but dismissed any possibility. He said Du Plessis would want to focus on franchise cricket and recovery from injuries.
“The reality of it is that Faf has injury concerns he wants to take care of. Playing in the T20 leagues is his bread and butter. That’s his priority, and he certainly hasn’t closed the door on playing for the national team. Otherwise, he would have retired. The conversations are ongoing, but 50-over cricket is different in terms of the workload and the physical expectations,” Rob Walter told News24.
“He needs to take care of that, something that I totally understand. If, by chance, all of that tidies itself up, from where he’s fully fit and firing for 50-over cricket, we’ll have the conversation again. For now, T20 cricket is his priority and focus, something I’ll respect,” he added.
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