IPL 2023: South Africa will be missing a trick if they don’t take Faf du Plessis to the World Cup – Dinesh Karthik

Royal Challengers Bangalore veteran wicket-keeper bat Dinesh Karthik reckons South Africa will be missing a trick if they don’t select Faf du Plessis for the 2023 ODI World Cup squad. Faf has been in splendid form in the ongoing IPL 2023 while leading Royal Challengers Bangalore.

However, surprisingly Faf played his last ODI in the South African colors in the 2019 ODI World Cup match against Australia. Faf is currently the leading run-getter of IPL 2023 with 702 runs at an average of 58.50 and a strike rate of 153.95 in 13 matches. The right-hander has scored eight half-centuries for RCB.

Thus, Faf has been leading from the front and he has delivered while opening for RCB. Furthermore, the right-hander scored another fine knock of 71 runs off just 47 balls against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Thursday and played a key role in his team’s eight-wicket victory.

In fact, Faf du Plessis announced his Test retirement back in 2021 but he hasn’t been selected in the limited-overs squad.

Speaking on the ICC review, Dinesh Karthik said, “I’m not at all surprised with Faf’s form because I think he’s a terrific player,” he stated. “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.”

“I think South Africa will be missing a trick if they don’t take him to the World Cup,” Karthik continued. “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.”

There is no doubt that Faf du Plessis is in the form of his life and he is definitely going to add value to the Proteas’ ODI World Cup squad if he gets selected. In fact, Faf led the Rainbow Nation in the 2019 World Cup and scored 387 runs at an average of 64.50 in nine games.

Moreover, he averages 65.66 in 10 matches while playing in Indian conditions. Royal Challengers Bangalore will play their last league stage match against defending champions Gujarat Titans at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore on Sunday.