Kamal Ghorui
South Africa’s dependable white-ball batter, Rassie van der Dussen, has announced his retirement from international cricket, bringing an end to a career that earned him a place among the Proteas’ most reliable performers. The 35-year-old shared the news via social media, expressing gratitude and pride for his time representing South Africa. “It is with a proud heart and a profound sense of gratitude that I announce my retirement from international cricket. To wear the Proteas jersey is a feat that demands a level of resilience and dedication that both Tests, and rewards you in the most incredible way. To have played for my country has been the greatest honour of my life. This journey has been paved with years of sacrifice, but the privilege of representing South Africa was worth every moment,” he said. Van der Dussen made his T20I debut at 29 against Zimbabwe, following an impressive record in domestic and global T20 leagues. While he played 18 Tests since debuting against England in 2019, it was the ODI format where he truly shone. He was a key figure in South Africa’s 2019 World Cup campaign and became a mainstay in the middle order, amassing 2,657 runs in 71 matches at an average above 50, second only to AB de Villiers among South African batsmen. Over his career, van der Dussen scored 905 runs from 18 Tests (six 50s), 2,657 runs from 71 ODIs (six centuries, 17 fifties), and 1,406 runs from 57 T20Is (ten fifties). Although retiring from international cricket, he will continue playing domestic cricket for the Lions and mentoring young cricketers. “While my time in a Proteas shirt has come to an end, my journey is not over. I will continue to play for my beloved Lions, and I am committed to giving back to this beautiful game by teaching and mentoring the next generation of South African cricketers. I love South Africa, and I love cricket. Thank you for everything,” he concluded.
