Former captain AB de Villiers has expressed surprise at batsman Faf du Plessis’ exclusion from the Proteas’ squad for next month’s T20 World Cup.
Du Plessis has not played for South Africa since 2021, but has not formally retired from T20I cricket. He is currently captaining the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League.
“No Faf du Plessis – that’s a big surprise to me,” said de Villiers.
“I honestly thought with his experience and the way he is playing there’s one more World Cup in it for him.”
Quinton de Kock.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Quinton de Kock was named South Africa’s T20 World Cup squad. De Kock has retired from Test and ODI cricket – and isn’t contracted by Cricket South Africa.
“Quinton makes it which is a bit of a surprise, but we know what he is capable of. I am very happy to see him there,” added de Villiers.
“I was not sure if the selectors would take the chance with some of the guys that don’t really play international cricket anymore.”
This year’s T20 World Cup will be played in the United States of America and the Caribbean. The tournament will start on 1 June.
South Africa have been pooled with Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Netherlands and Nepal in group D.
The Proteas have never won the T20 World Cup. They were losing semi-finalists in 2009 and 2014.
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