Faf du Plessis led South Africa in the 2014 and 2016 editions of the T20 World Cup.
The countdown for the ICC T20 World Cup 2021 has begun, and all participating teams are gearing up for the gala tournament. Although the official dates and schedule are yet to come, the competition is slated to take place in India (or UAE) in October-November. With T20 matches dominating the cricket calendar in the past few years, fans are expecting some mind-boggling action in the marquee event.
Many players and experts have also picked their favourites for the tournament. Former South African captain Faf du Plessis is the latest one to join the bandwagon. The veteran batsman predicted hosts India and defending champions West Indies as the front-runners to clinch the T20 World Cup. Both these sides are studded with prominent T20 stars. Hence, Du Plessis sees them thriving in the competition.
“The shorter, the format, you feel like there are more teams that can have a chance. If I look at teams with good firepower and experience, you have to look at West Indies and the fact that they have brought back all their players; almost given them a directive to try and be the team that wins three times,” Du Plessis said in a virtual press conference.
“All the guys you wouldn’t have seen playing much of international cricket will be back; Dwayne Bravo, Andre Russell. That’s a lot of experience if you count the number of T20 caps,” he added.
India have all the bases covered, says Du Plessis
Speaking of India, the Proteas talisman said the Virat Kohli-led side has all basics covered with several potent options in the batting and bowling department. “They have experience, and they cover all their skills with good wrist spinners and fast bowlers, death bowlers and an explosive batting lineup. And England, a successful ODI unit, is a strong team too but India, West Indies are my favourites right now,” he asserted.
Meanwhile, Faf du Plessis, who announced his retirement from Test cricket earlier this year, hasn’t been a part of South Africa’s T20I team lately. The 36-year-old hasn’t been picked in the national side for the upcoming tour of West Indies and Ireland. Hence, it would be interesting to see if he features in the T20 World Cup or not. He’ll next be seen representing Quetta Gladiators in the remainder of Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2021, which gets underway on June 9 in UAE.
