NEW DELHI: Dinesh Karthik has thrown his support behind Faf du Plessis, advocating for the South African star batsman's comeback to international cricket. Karthik believes that South Africa would be making a mistake if they overlook du Plessis for the upcoming ICC Men's Cricket World Cup.
Du Plessis retired from Test cricket in 2021 and last represented South Africa at the international level in February of that same year. He has expressed his willingness to return to white-ball cricket for the Proteas.
Karthik believes that South Africa should seize the opportunity and include the talented right-hander in their squad for the upcoming Cricket World Cup.
Speaking on the latest edition of The ICC Review, Karthik said, "I'm not at all surprised with Faf's form because I think he's a terrific player. 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."
Du Plessis has displayed exceptional consistency while opening the batting alongside Virat Kohli for the Royal Challengers Bangalore in this year's IPL. With an impressive tally of over 600 runs already, du Plessis has proven to be a key contributor to his team's success.
1/10:IPL: Virat, du Plessis keep RCB afloat
IANS
2/10:Centurions
<p>Virat Kohli's century stole the thunder from Heinrich Klaasen's maiden IPL ton as RCB kept their playoff hopes alive with an 8-wicket win over Sunrisers Hyderabad (Photo: RCB Twitter)<br /></p>Agencies
3/10:Maiden Ton
<p>It was the Klaasen show first, as the South African smashed 6 sixes & 8 fours to hit a sensational 104 off 51 balls to power SRH to 186/5 (Photo: BCCI/IPL)<br /></p>ANI
4/10:Joint Venture
<p>Kohli (100 off 63 balls) & Faf du Plessis (71 off 47) then continued their rich form to stitch a 172-run opening partnership & RCB won with 4 balls to spare (Photo: BCCI/IPL)<br /></p>PTI
5/10:Take a bow
<p>The win lifted RCB to No. 4 with 14 points and a better net run-rate than Mumbai Indians, who are also on 14 points (Photo: RCB Twitter)<br /></p>Agencies
6/10:King Kohli
<p>With his 6th IPL century, Virat equalled the record for most IPL hundreds, which until now was exclusively in Chris Gayle's name (Photo: BCCI/IPL)</p>PTI
7/10:Thank you, lord
<p>Kohli completed his hundred with a six off Bhuvneshwar before getting dismissed off the next ball. Du Plessis fell soon after to T Natarajan (Photo: BCCI/IPL)<br /></p>IANS
8/10:Partnerships
<p>After being asked to bat, Klaasen led the SRH batting chart & added 76 runs with Aiden Markram (18) & 74 runs with Harry Brook (27 not out) to take SRH to a competitive total (Photo: BCCI/IPL)<br /></p>AFP
9/10:Wicket-taker
<p>Michael Bracewell struck twice for RCB, removing openers Abishek Sharma (11) and Rahul Tripathi (15) in his first three balls (Photo: BCCI/IPL)<br /></p>TOI Sports
10/10:Not his day
<p>Karn Sharma was the most expensive among RCB bowlers, leaking 45 runs off his 3 overs without a wicket (Photo: BCCI/IPL)<br /></p>Agencies"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. So, I genuinely wish Faf says yes when South Africa asks him because he will make an impact at that World Cup if he's there" Karthik said.
