Written by Vaibhav Tripathi
South Africa would be making a significant mistake if they don’t include Faf du Plessis in their squad for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in India later this year. That’s the view of Dinesh Karthik, the veteran wicket-keeper batter who has been du Plessis’ teammate with Royal Challengers Bangalore for the last two seasons.
Du Plessis last played for South Africa in February 2021. But he has piled on the runs in T20 franchise cricket since then, and is currently the leading run-scorer in IPL 2023 with over 700 runs to his name from 13 games. Recently, he had said that he was open to the idea of an international return.
“I’m not at all surprised with Faf’s form because I think he’s a terrific player,” said Karthik, in the latest edition of The ICC Review. “He’s a very good leader as well. In the last four, five years of IPL, he’s been very consistent and he’s just had another year where he’s been even more consistent, even more effective, even more powerful.
“I think South Africa will be missing a trick if they don’t take him to the World Cup. I think he is ready. He is somebody who can make a difference as a leader, as a batter.”