I can return to international cricket: Faf du Plessis

NEW DELHI: Ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup, former South Africa captain Faf du Plessis has hinted at a return to international cricket, stating that he has been in discussions with Porteas' white-ball coach Rob Walter for the past few years.It was in 2020, three years ago, that Du Plessis played his last T20I. In February 2021, he played his final Test match for South Africa against Pakistan."I believe that I can return to international cricket," du Plessis told the broadcaster of Abu Dhabi T10 league."We have been speaking about this for the last couple of years. It's just figuring out the balance of the T20 World Cup next year. It's certainly something we have spoken about with the new coach," he added.Du Plessis has been performing well in domestic competitions and international T20 leagues, despite not playing for South Africa.Earlier this year, du Plessis was the second-highest run scorer in the Indian Premier League with 730 runs from 14 games for the Royal Challengers Bangalore.The 39-year-old led South Africa in the 2014 and 2016 T20 World Cups but wasn't considered for the last two editions of the tournament, despite never officially retiring from white-ball cricket.On Monday, South Africa white-ball coach Walter had said the likes of du Plessis, Quinton de Kock and Rilee Rossouw will be considered for the T20 World Cup, scheduled to be played in June next year in the West Indies and the USA."Given that some of our frontline bowlers are missing out and there are guys - let me throw it out there just to create some media hype - like Faf (du Plessis) and Rilee (Rossouw) as well as Quinny (De Kock) that could well be considered for a T20 World Cup and then also the SA20 that happens next year - 80% of the side picks itself but there is definitely a space for other guys to get themselves into the conversation," Walter had said.(With PTI inputs)