'I do not know, to be dead honest' - South Africa coach unsure of Quinton de Kock's T20I future

South Africa wicketkeeper-batter, Quinton de Kock announced retirement from the ODIs after World Cup 2023. The southpaw vowed to continue in the T20Is solely and was last seen playing in the final against India in the T20 World Cup 2024. He has given the T20I series against West Indies a miss and will also not feature in the two series against Afghanistan and Ireland this month and next.

Subsequently, in T20Is the Proteas will clash with the touring Indians and coach Rob Walter has said that he is not sure about De Kock’s T20I prospects. The veteran announced his Test retirement in 2021 and besides T20Is, he is only seen playing franchise cricket. As the Ireland series beckons, Walter expressed that the ‘door is open’ for the 31-year-old. 

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"I do not know, to be dead honest. For the next little while, there will be no conversations between myself and Quinny as to whether he wants to play for South Africa again. I have left the door open for him to approach me if and when he wants to do that. That might never happen,” said Walter as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

We have to just allow him to have his space: Walter 

De Kock was seemingly heartbroken after South Africa succumbed to India in T20 World Cup 2024 final. He went on to feature in Major League Cricket (MLC) and Caribbean Premier League (CPL). Besides these, he has been an active part of SA20 and the Indian Premier League. Walter while addressing the fearless cricketer’s T20I berth, exuded low confidence and left his franchise cricket performance to prove selectors otherwise. 

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“There might be a conversation and also that conversation does initially mean it will lead to him being selected. We have to just allow him to have his space, to play league cricket and to do what he needs to do. What will become more and more important is performance. He’s not exactly old so from here on in, it’s a performance-based conversation,” Walter added.