Quinton de Kock’s spectacular comeback ignites Proteas’ T20 World Cup hopes
Quinton de Kock’s remarkable comeback has revitalised the Proteas’ T20 World Cup prospects, highlighted by his leading performances in the SA20 and a stunning 115-run innings against the West Indies. Picture: BackpagePix
Image: Backpagepix
Not long ago, the international career of Quinton de Kock looked to be over until he reversed his retirement towards the end of 2025.
At first, when De Kock made his return to the Proteas side in October, it had been over a year since he last appeared for his country in the T20 World Cup final against India on 24 June.
That comeback didn’t last long as he was out for one against Namibia in a low-profile T20I clash in Windhoek.
Soon he would be back in the fray against Pakistan and India, where he followed with scores of 23, 7, 0, 0, which did not bode well for his future.
De Kock’s Remarkable Comeback: Leading South Africa to Victory and Beyond
Then came the 2nd T20I against India, as De Kock confirmed his return to the top with a masterful knock of 90 from 46 balls to help set up a 51-run lead for the Proteas. Another innings off 65 followed in the fifth T20I to show he was finding consistency once more.
However, it was in the SA20 that De Kock really began churning out the runs. Leading his side to the title, their third in four seasons of the competition, De Kock ended as the leading run-scorer.
In total, De Kock compiled 390 runs from 12 matches at an average of 39 and a strike rate of 148.
The final exclamation mark on his comeback still lay in wait though, and that came on Thursday in the second T20I against the West Indies at SuperSport in Centurion.
Set an imposing 222 for victory, De Kock was back to his absolute best with a masterful innings of 115 from just 49 ball. The knock included six fours and 10 maximums.
It resulted in a remarkably comfortable victory by seven wickets with 15 balls remaining, and in the process De Kock moved beyond 12,000 runs in all T20s and the leading run-scorer in the format for South Africa.
South Africa will of course face much better opposition at the T20 World Cup in India in Sri Lanka, which begins on February 7, but to have De Kock back firing on all cylinders bodes well for the Proteas.
* The views expressed are not necessarily the views of IOL or Independent Media.
** JOIN THE CONVERSATION: Send us an email with your comments, thoughts or responses to iolletters@inl.co.za. Letters should be a maximum of 500 words, and may be edited for length. Anonymous correspondence will not be published. Submissions should include a contact number and physical address (not for publication).