Faf du Plessis On de Villiers' Phone Call Which Started Comeback Talks

AB de Villiers' international retirement came as a shock to the cricket fraternity and so did his plans to reverse the decision. AB de Villiers' last-ditch offer to return to the international set-up for the World Cup 2019 came in too late and was thus declined by Cricket South Africa and skipper Faf du Plessis, who is also a good friend of the former star. The South African captain says he received a call from his former teammate, requesting his international comeback during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2019 but by then the selectors had already finalised the squad for the World Cup 2019.

"It was just a conversation, a phone call the night before the team got announced," du Plessis was quoted as saying by cricketworldcup.com. "It was just a 'this is what I'm feeling' (phone call).

"I said to him, 'I think it is too late but I will check in with the coach and the selectors the next morning.' When I spoke to the coach and the selectors, they all agreed that it was way, way too late to change the team on 99.99," he added.