Quinton de Kock during the second T20I cricket match between India and South Africa. (Image: PTI) NEW CHANDIGARH: Quinton de Kock has always been a carefree batsman. A hundred in the third ODI in Vizag last week and a 46-ball 90 in the second ODI on Thursday night were routine by his standards but looked so refreshing at the same time. Now he has proven that a 16-month voluntary break from the game has not affected his abilities.De Kock’s decision to retire from international cricket at the age of 30 fueled talk of player fatigue and renewed the “league-vs-international” debate. He was not shy about admitting that international cricket had stopped being exciting for him a few years back.
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“Before I retired I was losing my hunger to win games. That time gave me back my hunger and I told the boys I don’t think I’ve ever felt like that,” de Kock said.“When you’re young, you’re just trying to play to score and impress. Now there’s a renewed energy, I’m playing to win every game. Before, it would have been difficult to wake up and go play for a team, especially when you’re playing series all the time, home and away. I was sick of it because I was looking for a new challenge and I wasn’t getting it,” he said. “Now I feel that I can extend my career. I used to feel that if I continued to play, my career would end very soon.” During his time away, de Kock realized that he had begun to miss international cricket. This prompted him to speak to the board and return. This means that the return will never be easy. By his own admission, T20 cricket has changed a lot in the last two years. He focused on staying true to his technique. “I know the T20 game is changing but I thought I could keep up. Those who have played all three formats can sustain their career longer.”
