"International Cricket Is Still The Pinnacle" - Faf du Plessis Wants To Make Comeback For T20 World Cup 2024

South African batter Faf du Plessis expressed interest in a potential return to the national cricket team, especially with the T20 World Cup 2024 approaching. However, du Plessis emphasized the importance of regaining peak fitness before seriously considering it.

Du Plessis has been absent from South Africa’s T20I team since December 2020. However, he has been playing globally in various leagues, consistently scoring runs. Recently, Proteas head coach Rob Walter hinted that senior players could return to the T20I squad.

A Long Lay Off With My Arm – Faf du Plessis

Faf du Plessis emphasized the need to focus on enjoying the game again and allowing his arm to recover after an operation and a prolonged layoff. Du Plessis described international cricket as the pinnacle of the sport.

“I wouldn’t say the process is not on (his SA comeback). I mean, international cricket is still the pinnacle. You still feel like that’s where cricket comes with the most pressure and that’s what makes you really feel alive as a sportsman,” Du Plessis told PTI.

“But now, it’s just about getting back into cricket after my operation, and a long layoff with my arm. So yeah, just taking the pressure off and just really enjoying playing some cricket again, and allowing my arm to get back to where it needs to get to,” he added.

“It (SA return) is just the process at the moment. South Africa has come out and said that there will be some T20 contracts coming out in March. So, then it’s up to the players to perform and do well (in leagues and other international matches) to make sure that they are eligible for selection.”

Cricket Has Changed So Much Now – Faf du Plessis

Du Plessis highlighted the changing landscape of cricket, noting how players like Trent Boult and Jimmy Neesham opted for foreign leagues over national contracts. He emphasized the growing importance of both international and T20 leagues in the game.

“I find that cricket has changed so much now, you have all these amazing cricketers playing around the circuit. Things that’s changed probably over the last couple of years or so that there weren’t those T20 contracts (earlier).”

“Now if you look at the world, there’s a lot more players doing it (moving over to T20s). You know guys like Boult and Neesham from New Zealand recently went that way. So, it’s good to see that the leagues are growing in terms of the pedigree that players are coming in. I think both are equally important for the game,” said Du Plessis.

Also read: “I Think So” – Faf du Plessis Feels Virat Kohli Will Play T20 World Cup 2024