SA vs SL: 'Quinton de Kock Shouldn't Have Taken Retirement' - Twitter Reacts As Opener Slams Terrific Hundred In World Cup 2023

The 30-year-old South Africa National Cricket Team wicketkeeper-batter Quinton de Kock smashed a spectacular century in the fourth match of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 against Sri Lanka National Cricket Team at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on Saturday, October 7.

De Kock is participating in his last 50-over Cricket World Cup for the Proteas as he is all set to retire from ODI cricket after the World Cup. The wicketkeeper-batter had already quit Test cricket way back in December 2021, but will most likely play T20Is for South Africa until the 2024 World Cup.

Quinton de Kock started off his final 50-over World Cup campaign with South Africa on a high as he set the stage on fire with his batting masterclass. Despite losing his skipper and opening partner, Temba Bavuma, in the second over itself, the wicketkeeper-batter looked confident and he batted brilliantly.

Quinton de Kock was cautious in the initial half of his innings and he took his time before firing. He completed his half-century off 61 balls but after completing the milestone, the 30-year-old brought out his attacking avatar and smashed the Lankan bowlers all over the park.

De Kock and Rassie van der Dussen completed a 200-run partnership in 171 balls and just after that, the former reached the three-figure mark off 83 balls. On the third ball of the 31st over, Matheesha Pathirana bowled a short ball and Quinton de Kock pulled it for a four to reach the landmark. The wicketkeeper-batter was delighted after hitting the ton and he roared aggressively before taking off his helmet and soaking the applause.

However, he wasn’t able to add any more runs to his tally as on the very next delivery after completing the century, he went for the pull once again but was caught by Dhananjaya de Silva.

Quinton de Kock scored 100 runs off 84 balls, including 12 fours and 3 sixes. This was his 18th century in ODIs and he became the second South African wicket-keeper to hit a century in the ODI World Cup after AB de Villiers. His 83-ball ton was also the third-fastest century for South Africa in the World Cup after AB de Villiers’ 52-ball century and David Miller’s 81-ball ton.

Here’s How Twitter Reacted To Quinton de Kock’s Stunning Knock:

Fantastic centuries by Quinton de Kock and Van der Dussen ! South Africa is now in a strong position to score 350+. Well played! ? #SAvSL #WorldCup2023

— Yusuf Pathan (@iamyusufpathan) October 7, 2023

Quinton de Kock starts his swansong in this format in style!! A first World Cup century for the 30-year-old going on 40 ?#SAvSL #CricketWorldCup2023 pic.twitter.com/IJDsS3TJSZ

— Werner (@Werries_) October 7, 2023

18th ODI ton, first in World Cups, top knock this from Quinton de Kock.

Superb effort from the SA keeper.#SAvSL

— Nikhil ? (@CricCrazyNIKS) October 7, 2023

Quinton South Africa’s trusted match winner ??? #SAvSL

— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) October 7, 2023

Take a bow, Quinny ❤️?#CWC23 pic.twitter.com/mYga1Gu4HY

— Vinesh Prabhu (@vlp1994) October 7, 2023

HUNDRED BY QUINTON DE KOCK…!!!

Maiden century in the World Cup – it's his last ODI tournament and he started with a bang. 18th ODI hundred by De Kock, what a knock. pic.twitter.com/gY4ZWtd4QQ

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) October 7, 2023

INCREDIBLE HUNDRED FOR QUINTON DE KOCK…!!!

He smashed 100* runs from 83 balls against Sri Lanka in this World Cup, his 18th ODI Hundreds – One of the best ODI batter of this generation! pic.twitter.com/lcfKRMEvNk

— CricketMAN2 (@ImTanujSingh) October 7, 2023

Magnificent ? on just 83 balls by Quinton De Knock in South Africa first match of World Cup 2023 against Srilanka in Dehli ?#SLvSA #WorldCup2023 pic.twitter.com/l8ScNsC2qY

— Shahzaib Ali ?? (@DSBcricket) October 7, 2023

Conway
Rachin
Shakeel
QDK

It's a lefties world (cup)! #wc2023

— Abhinav Mukund (@mukundabhinav) October 7, 2023

100 off just 83 balls for Quinton De Kock! What a talent ???
It's so unfortunate he's retiring from ODI cricket after the World Cup at the age of 30 only ☹️ #WorldCup2023 #CWC23 pic.twitter.com/MT83hd55Kc

— Farid Khan (@_FaridKhan) October 7, 2023

I don't care if he retires from ODI cricket at the age of 30 if his last act is winning a World Cup for #SouthAfrica ??♥️♥️???

What. A. Knock.

When he is in form, there are not many to watch than QDK.#CricketTwitter #CWC23 #Proteas #ProteaFire#CricketWorldCup2023 pic.twitter.com/q2Cw89FCXd

— Broken Cricket Dreams Cricket Blog (@cricket_broken) October 7, 2023

'Kohli, Kohli' chants at Dharamshala Stadium in front of Naveen Ul Haq. pic.twitter.com/GJfDOpZyVB

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) October 7, 2023