New Delhi, 02 April (H.S.):

South Africa's experienced batter Rassie van der Dussen has announced his immediate retirement from international cricket at age 37. Concluding his 7.5-year international career, he plans to continue playing for the domestic Lions team while focusing on mentoring young cricketers.

Career Highlights

Van der Dussen debuted in T20Is against Zimbabwe in 2018, followed by his ODI bow in 2019 with a match-winning 93 against Pakistan. In ODIs, he amassed 2,657 runs across 71 matches at an average of 50.13, including 6 centuries and 17 half-centuries; in T20Is, he scored 1,406 runs in 57 matches at a strike rate of 128.76. His Test career, starting in 2019, yielded 905 runs in 18 matches with 6 fifties, his best being 98.

Retirement Statement

In his announcement, van der Dussen stated, With a proud heart and immense gratitude, I share my retirement from international cricket. Wearing the Proteas jersey is an achievement that requires resilience and commitment... Representing my country has been the greatest privilege of my life. He represented South Africa in the 2019 and 2023 ODI World Cups and the 2021 T20 World Cup, with his 133 against New Zealand in 2023 standing out.

Tributes and Future Role

He thanked his family and wife for their support. South Africa's high-performance director Enoch Nkwe praised his outsized impact on team culture, while CSA CEO Pholetsi Moseki lauded his clutch performances. Van der Dussen will now nurture the next generation and advance cricket domestically.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar