Faf du Plessis is perhaps happy to play only T20 leagues: Graeme Smith on South Africa star’s T20 World Cup hopes

India vs South Africa: Former Proteas captain Graeme Smith said Faf du Plessis maybe wants to focus only on franchise-based T20 cricket while stressing that South Africa have to still figure out their ideal combinations for the T20 World Cup.

Former South Africa captain Graeme Smith said the Proteas face a tricky test when it comes to dealing with free agents like Faf du Plessis in the lead up to the T20 World Cup later this year in Australia.

Graeme Smith said he has no doubts that Faf du Plessis is fit and good enough to play for South Africa again but stressed that the team management needs to take a call on whether they need free agents for the senior national team.

Notably, Smith, who was the Director of Cricket of Cricket South Africa, had elaborated on why South Africa did not pick Faf du Plessis, who is no longer part of the central contracts list for T20 World Cup in 2021.

Faf du Plessis proved his mettle, leading Royal Challengers Bangalore to IPL 2022 playoffs, taking over as captain from Virat Kohli, scoring 468 runs.

Du Plessis last played a T20I for South Africa in December 2020, following which he retired from Tests in 2021, saying his priority will be on T20 cricket. Du Plessis maintained that he had not given up on ODI hopes as well.

“South Africa have got an equation where they have to figure out what their best XI is. Faf du Plessis is still fit, retired from the longer formats of the game and it’s that challenge that India doesn’t face free agents,” Smith told Star Sports on Sunday, June 19.

“Players are playing in leagues around the world. How much time can he give to South Africa in the lead up to the World Cup. Do they pick him straight for the World Cup or should he part of the build-up where he understands the team culture, the thinking, training and preparing. India doesn’t face that challenge but for other nations (dealing with) free agents is a difficult one.