Quinton de Kock has got his hunger back to win games for South Africa, feels fitter than ever and is batting as if he never spent time away from international cricket.

His sublime 90 off 46 balls in the second T20I against India was a testament to the left-hander’s renewed purpose in playing for the country again. In the age of power-hitting, de Kock relies on conventional strokeplay and makes batting look effortless.

The 32-year-old had retired from ODIs after the 2023 World Cup and had not played the shortest format since the loss to India in the 2024 T20 World Cup final until October.

De Kock is now back playing white-ball cricket and says the time away from the game actually allowed him to realise what he was missing out on.

“I think prior to my retirement, I was losing my hunger to win games for this team. That time away just brought back my hunger. I was telling the guys, I don’t think I’ve ever felt this way,” de Kock spoke in depth about his reasons for an international comeback.

“Before when you’re young, you’re trying to just play to score runs and impress. I feel now that there’s a renewed energy where I’m not just playing. I’m playing to win every game with a renewed energy.” De Kock said he had lost his motivation after going through the grind of international cricket day in and day out.

“Before, it would be hard to wake up and go play for the team again. Especially when you play a series over and over where you’ve played India multiple times, home and away. Over time, I was getting sick of it. I was looking for a new challenge and I wasn’t getting it.

“Now coming back, I feel like this is actually what I missed. Everyone knows, you never know what you have until you’ve lost it. Now coming back, there’s a renewed energy where I feel I can play much longer than what I thought previously,” said the elegant left-hander.

Now that he has found the drive to excel for his team in white-ball formats, is there a possibility for a return to Test cricket? “You are not the only one who has asked me this but as of now it’s a straight no,” de Kock said on a lighter note.

The opener said his decision to reverse retirement was taken after due deliberation and the break was needed for him to rekindle his love for the sport.

“It wasn’t a decision that I just woke up and had. I think over time, the more break I had, the more I felt more ready to come back. I’d already played in international cricket for more than a decade.

“When I left, I was quite exhausted from international cricket. So my break, I still feel, was much needed. So when I came back now, I’ve got a lot of energy I feel I can put back towards the team.

“I’ve always said to coach, to Shooks (Shukri Conrad), I want to play as long as I can now. I don’t think I could have had that mindset if I carried on playing. I think I would have finished my career earlier. Now I feel I can prolong my career. I feel fitter than ever. Mentally also, I’m not exhausted,” said the stylish batter.

Considering he had played the game long enough, de Kock said adjusting to the current demands of the game was not tough.

“It was pretty easy, coming back as a batsman. Because I was doing it quite a bit before, I knew what it took in order to be an international cricketer again. So that transition was fairly simple.

“It’s just a matter of just doing it. But yeah, I didn’t change much while I was away. Though I know world cricket is changing, at least in the T20 game,” he said.

Only those who have played all three formats can sustain their careers

De Kock is done playing the traditional format but besides a truckload of white ball games, he represented the country in 54 Tests. With close to 5000 runs, he also proved himself in the long format.

Is it sustainable to play all three formats with so much cricket being played nowadays? “I still think to this day that good cricketers, guys who sustain their careers, are guys who play all three formats or have at least played all three formats, whether it’s international or domestic. Just because you understand yourself in the game. I think for myself specifically, I still judge myself on how good my technique is under the moving ball.

“When you’re a school kid, you want to be the best cricketer, not just one-format cricketer. Obviously, noticing these days that single-format cricketers are starting to happen more often than not. I still feel that in order to have a prolonged career, you need to be able to do all three formats at some point in your career,” de Kock concluded.

Published – December 12, 2025 11:56 am IST

Sarfaraz Khan and Prithvi Shaw — the intriguing batters who went unsold in last year’s full auction — have been named in the opening set of players for the Indian Premier League (IPL) Player Auction ahead of the 2026 edition

India batter Abhishek Sharma on Sunday slammed his second T20I century during the fifth and final game of the series against England in Mumbai. Abhishek reached the milestone in just 37 balls, missing India captain Rohit Sharma and David Miller‘s all-time record by a whisker. Rohit and Miller hold the record for the fastest century (35 balls) among batters from Test playing nations. Abhishek looked on course of surpassing them at one point, but missed out in the end.

However, Abhishek still managed to etch his name in history books. He completed his century on the first ball of the 11th over, which is the earliest that any player has reached the landmark during a T20I innings. Previously, South Africa’s Quinton de Kock held the record, having reached there in 10.2 overs.

After being sent in to bat, India suffered an early setback with the dismissal of Sanju Samson. However, Abhishek wasted no time in counter-attacking, launching a brutal assault on England’s pace attack.

His fireworks began in the third over when he took on Jofra Archer, smashing the express pacer for a four and two towering sixes.

His aggression only intensified as he took the attack to Mark Wood and Jamie Overton. Overton, in particular, bore the brunt of Abhishek’s onslaught as the southpaw smashed him for consecutive sixes in the fifth over to reach his half-century in just 17 balls. Abhishek continued his aggressive charge, dispatching every bowler that came his way, and reached his century in just 37 balls, the second-fastest by an Indian in T20Is.

Tilak Varma, batting at the other end, also joined the carnage and helped India register their highest-ever Powerplay score in T20 internationals. By the end of the six-over fielding restrictions, India had posted a staggering 95/1, leaving England struggling for answers.

Abhishek had already shown his ability to score rapid hundreds when he equaled the record for the fastest T20 century by an Indian, scoring a 28-ball hundred for Punjab in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy in late 2024.

(With IANS Inputs)

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 auction saw some stunning steal deals unfold over two days in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Franchises had to spend big in order to buy coveted stars like Rishabh Pant, Shreyas Iyer, Yuzvendra Chahal, Venkatesh Iyer, etc. on Day 1. But on the second day, some big bargains unfolded as franchises landed some established stars from the auction pool, while others simply didn’t have the money left to go all-in. Some of the top players franchises were lucky to sign for a bargain price includes the names of Washington Sundar, Glenn Maxwell, Quinton de Kock, etc.

Glenn Maxwell: Though the Australian all-rounder’s form is mostly the flip of a coin, the franchise putting its money on him can’t really be sure which Maxwell would turn up in a particular season. Maxwell was released by Royal Challengers Bengaluru ahead of the mega auction after a flop IPL 2024 campaign. With form not helping his case in the mega auction, Punjab Kings snapped Maxwell up for a cut-price deal of Rs 4 crore.

Tim David: Another Australia in the list, only a couple of years ago, David was being seen as one of the finest middle-order batters in the world, when it comes to the shortest format. But a poor run of form saw his stock decline. Royal Challengers Bengaluru, having let go of Maxwell, decided to replace him by signing David from the auction. He only cost INR 3 crore.

Adam Zampa: There’s no stopping Australian in the list, with spinner Adam Zampa slotting in at the No. 3 spot. With 341 wickets across 280 T20 games, Zampa is one of the top spinners in white-ball cricket at present. Though he hasn’t been able to replicate the same impact in the IPL, Sunrisers Hyderabad would be hopeful of that change as Zampa wears the orange shirt under the captaincy of his compatriot Pat Cummins. He was signed for just Rs 2.40 crore.

Quinton de Kock: One of the most fearsome opening batters in the game, De Kock was snapped up by Kolkata Knight Riders for a stunningly low fee of INR 3.60 crore. Landing a player who has scored 3,157 runs in 107 IPL matches, including two centuries, is a bargain that the KKR management would be immensely proud of.

Washington Sundar: Topping the charts is India all-rounder Washington Sundar. When Sundar was released by the Sunrisers Hyderabad, he was expected to cost somewhere around INR 10 crore in the auction. But, the spin-bowling all-rounder only cost Gujarat Titans Rs. 3.20 crore. With a T20 international record of 47 wickets from 52 matches and an economy rate of 6.87, Sundar is arguably the smartest buy of the auction.

File image of Rahmanullah Gurbaz.© AFP

File photo of Jasprit Bumrah.© AFP

“Gutted” and “hurt” after South Africa’s heartbreak in the T20 World Cup final, skipper Aiden Markram was aware that they could have won the game against India while hunting down 177, which they felt was a “chasable total”. South Africa stood so close to the trophy yet ended up so far. They had a sniff at lifting their World Cup trophy when the equation read 26 runs needed in the final four overs. With Heinrich Klaasen bossing the spinners and David Miller waiting to open his arms on the other end, victory seemed just moments away from South Africa’s grasp.

But the dynamics and the calculus of the game shifted when Hardik Pandya, Arshdeep Singh and Jasprit Bumrah decided to bear the brunt of the power-hitting duo.

The game went down the wire, but India held their nerves and emerged victorious with a 7-run win, leaving South Africa in a position from which they will take some time to reflect on their campaign.

“Gutted for the time being. It’ll take some time for us to have a really good reflection on a really good campaign the group had. Obviously, for the time being, like I mentioned, it hurts quite a bit. Having said that, I’m incredibly proud of this group of players and everyone involved with the team. I feel they bowled well. Don’t think there was a whole lot to work with regards to the pitch. Thought we did well to restrict them to what we thought was a chaseable total. Thought we batted really well as well, and it came down to the wire,” Markram said in the post-match presentation.

It was a game that kept the spectators on the edge of their seats with all its expected twists and turns. After Klaasen’s quick-fire fifty ended, things quickly changed, taking the game out of South Africa’s hands.

In the next eighteen deliveries, South Africa lost two wickets while managing to put just ten turns on the board, leaving them in a peculiar situation in the final over.

“A really good game of cricket. We’ve seen with a lot of our games in this campaign – it’s never over till the last ball is bowled. We never got comfortable, there’s always an element of scoreboard pressure. And especially at the back end, things happen quite quickly and can turn quite quickly as well. We got into a great position, which proves we’re worthy finalists,” Markram added.

When Klaasen was muscling away spinners to pick effortless boundaries, South Africa looked destined to lift their maiden T20I trophy. However, things didn’t eventually fall in their favour, yet their inspiring journey remains a proud moment for them.

“Could’ve won the game today. Unfortunately, we didn’t. Still, like I mentioned, incredibly proud of the group. Hopefully, in a really good way. One thing guaranteed about South Africans, wherever they are in the world, is they’re a really competitive person, really respectful person, and a person that will go down with a fight. Hopefully, looking forward, we can draw a lot from those few things and keep putting the skill side of the sport to good use. It’s still a proud moment for us,” Markram concluded.

India vs South Africa Live: Squads –

India: Rohit Sharma(c), Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant(w), Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Yuzvendra Chahal, Sanju Samson, Mohammed Siraj, Yashasvi Jaiswal

South Africa: Quinton de Kock(w), Reeza Hendricks, Aiden Markram(c), Tristan Stubbs, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Tabraiz Shamsi, Ottneil Baartman, Gerald Coetzee, Bjorn Fortuin, Ryan Rickelton

The T20 World Cup 2024 final will witness South Africa clashing with India at the Kensington Oval on June 29. Both teams have showcased exceptional skill, strategy, and resilience throughout the tournament, setting the stage for an epic encounter. South Africa’s unbeaten run in their T20 World Cup campaign saw them reaching the final after a dominant nine-wicket victory over Afghanistan. Similarly, India had a stellar journey, securing their spot in the final by defeating England by 68 runs.

Ahead of this thrilling showdown, let’s take a look at the Proteas’ predicted XI as they prepare to face the formidable Men in Blue on Saturday.

Predicted XI

Quinton de Kock (wicketkeeper)

Quinton de Kock, the hard-hitting batter, is expected to open the innings for South Africa in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 final. With 2,545 runs in 91 matches, averaging 31.41 and a strike rate of 138.54 in T20Is, the left-hander has the potential to set a solid foundation for his team.

De Kock has led his team from the front this World Cup and is the highest run-scorer for South Africa with 204 runs in eight matches. His capability to score fours and sixes in bulk during the powerplay poses a significant threat to India’s bowling attack.

Reeza Hendricks

Reeza Hendricks is expected to open the innings alongside Quinton de Kock in the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 final against India. Renowned for his knack of anchoring the innings, Hendricks has amassed 1,938 runs in 67 T20I matches.

Although the right-hander hasn’t had a standout World Cup, scoring 109 runs in 8 matches, his capability to stabilise the innings could provide much-needed solidity to South Africa’s top order.

Aiden Markram (captain)

South Africa captain Aiden Markram’s inclusion in the playing XI is a significant boost to the team’s middle order. Markram, known for his elegant stroke play and ability to accelerate the scoring rate, has notched up 1,237 runs in 47 T20I matches while maintaining a strike rate of 144.

As South Africa prepare to face a formidable Indian side, Markram’s experience and composure with the bat and in the field will be pivotal in navigating the high-pressure moments in this crucial match.

Heinrich Klaasen

Heinrich Klaasen’s inclusion against India adds explosive power to South Africa’s middle order. Renowned for his aggressive batting and ability to score rapidly under pressure, Klaasen has accumulated 860 runs in 51 T20Is with a strike rate of 140.52.

Despite an underwhelming T20 World Cup, Klaasen’s proficiency against both pace and spin makes him a valuable asset against India’s versatile bowling attack.

David Miller

David Miller’s inclusion against India brings a wealth of experience and finishing prowess to the team. Known for his powerful hitting and ability to change the course of a match in the death overs, Miller has been a consistent performer in high-pressure situations.

The South African southpaw has scored 2,416 runs in 124 T20I matches backed by a strike rate of 140.71. Miller’s presence will be crucial in adding depth and firepower to the batting lineup come Saturday.

Tristan Stubbs

Tristan Stubbs will bring energy and innovative batting to the South African lineup. Known for his fearless approach and ability to score quickly, Stubbs brings a fresh dynamism to the middle order. His agility in the field and versatility with the bat make him a valuable asset, capable of shifting through the gears in crucial moments.

Stubbs’ knack for scoring runs in the middle has seen him pile up 373 runs in 25 matches. The right-hander is likely to play a key role in injecting impetus and unpredictability to South Africa’s game plan.

Marco Jansen

Bowling all-rounder Marco Jansen brings firepower to SA’s destructive pace attack. Known for his tall stature and ability to extract bounce and movement from the pitch, Jansen has taken 12 wickets in as many T20I matches so far while maintaining an economy rate of 8.01.

Along with his ability to strike with the ball in crucial moments of the match, Jansen’s capability to contribute with the bat has seen him score 62 runs in 12 T20I matches and he will have a big role to play against India come Saturday.

Keshav Maharaj

Known for his exceptional spin bowling and control, Keshav Maharaj brings an element of surprise to South Africa’s bowling attack on the spin-friendly pitches. His ability to contain runs and take key wickets in the middle overs makes him a valuable asset in high-pressure situations. The left-arm orthodox bowler has scalped 33 wickets in 34 T20I matches.

Kagiso Rabada

Kagiso Rabada’s inclusion to the playing XI against India comes as no surprise considering he’s one of the premier fast bowlers in world cricket. Rabada’s pace, precision, and ability to deliver under pressure make him a crucial asset in South Africa’s bowling attack. Known to strike early with the new ball thanks to his accurate lengths in the death overs, Rabada has clinched 70 wickets in 64 T20I matches.

With 12 wickets in eight matches in the ongoing World Cup, Rabada’s experience and fiery temperament will be pivotal in curbing India’s formidable batting lineup and steering South Africa towards victory.

Anrich Nortje

Protea pacer Anrich Nortje is set to lead the South African pace attack in the upcoming encounter. Known for his express pace and ability to generate bounce on any surface, Nortje has been instrumental in guiding his team to the final of the ICC T20 World Cup 2024.

The right-arm fast bowler has taken 51 wickets in 41 T20I matches. He has enjoyed a stellar run in the ongoing T20 World Cup, emerging as South Africa’s highest wicket-taker with 13 wickets in eight matches. South Africa will rely on his pace and wicket-taking ability to challenge India’s formidable batting lineup.

Tabraiz Shamsi

Tabraiz Shamsi’s inclusion in the playing XI adds more versatility to South Africa’s bowling attack. As a left-arm wrist spinner, Shamsi brings variety and the ability to disrupt the rhythm of India’s strong batting lineup. Known for his deceptive googlies and variations, Shamsi has taken 89 wickets in 69 T20I matches with an economy rate of 7.38.

The Protea spinner enters this upcoming contest following a 3-wicket haul in just 1.5 overs against Afghanistan. His knack for breaking partnerships besides also containing runs will be crucial in curbing India’s total in the final.

The highly anticipated final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, 2024, will feature a thrilling showdown between South Africa and India. This grand finale is scheduled to take place at the historic Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados, on June 29, commencing at 08:00 PM IST.

SA vs IND, Final Preview

South Africa comes into the final with significant momentum, having secured a commanding nine-wicket victory over Afghanistan in their previous match. Key to this success was the performance of Tabraiz Shamsi, who earned an impressive 107 fantasy points, showcasing his pivotal role in the team’s spin bowling attack.

India, on the other hand, delivered a dominant performance in their semi-final clash against England, winning by a substantial margin of 68 runs. Kuldeep Yadav was the standout performer for India, scoring 123 fantasy points thanks to his exceptional bowling skills, which will be crucial in the final.

SA vs IND, Head-to-Head

In their last encounter during the third T20I of a bilateral series in South Africa in 2023, the two teams demonstrated their competitive spirit. Keshav Maharaj was South Africa’s top fantasy scorer with 65 points, while Kuldeep Yadav led the charge for India with a remarkable 187 fantasy points.

Historically, in the 26 matches played between these two cricketing giants, the batters from both sides have consistently accumulated the most fantasy points, highlighting the importance of batting prowess in this rivalry.

SA vs IND, Top Players to Watch Out For

Arshdeep Singh (IND)

Arshdeep Singh, a left-arm medium-fast bowler, has been in superb form, taking 12 wickets in his last five matches. His ability to take crucial wickets makes him a key player to watch out for in the final.

Hardik Pandya (IND)

Hardik Pandya, known for his all-round capabilities, has been a vital asset for India. In his recent three outings, he has scored 132 runs in the recent five matches and has picked up three wickets with the ball.

Rishabh Pant (IND)

Rishabh Pant, a dynamic left-handed top-order batter and wicketkeeper, has had a mixed run in this tournament, with 171 runs in the recent seven matches at an average of 28.50. Despite the inconsistency, his aggressive batting style can turn the game around.

Tabraiz Shamsi (SA)

Tabraiz Shamsi, a slow left-arm chinaman bowler, has been a standout performer for South Africa, taking 11 wickets at an average of 9.3 in his last four matches. His wicket-taking ability will be crucial in the final against India.

Quinton de Kock (SA)

Quinton de Kock, a left-handed top-order batter and wicketkeeper, has shown his class with 204 runs in the recent eight matches at a strike rate of 143.66. His experience and ability to score runs quickly make him a key player for South Africa.

Marco Jansen (SA)

Marco Jansen, an all-rounder who bowls left-arm medium-fast, has taken six wickets in this tournament. With the bat, he has contributed 30 runs, showcasing his versatility and importance to the team.

Conclusion

Given their performances in the tournament so far, South Africa will rely on their strong bowling line-up, led by the likes of Tabraiz Shamsi and Marco Jansen. However, India’s balanced team, featuring impactful players like Rishabh Pant, Hardik Pandya and Arshdeep Singh, cannot be underestimated. This final promises to be a gripping contest, with both teams vying for the prestigious title.