Quinton de Kock Retires from ODIs to Focus on T20 Leagues and Family

South African cricketer Quinton de Kock has announced his retirement from One Day International (ODI) cricket after the 2023 World Cup. The decision is driven by his desire to focus on participating in lucrative T20 leagues and spending more time with his family.

De Kock, who is just 30 years old, has been a prominent figure in international cricket for over a decade. He retired from Test cricket nearly two years ago and will continue to play T20 cricket both domestically and in various leagues worldwide.

In an interview, de Kock candidly admitted that the allure of T20 league earnings influenced his retirement choice. He emphasized that he had prioritized loyalty to the South African team throughout his career. However, as he approaches the twilight of his career, the opportunity to secure a financial “top-up” was a significant factor in his decision.

De Kock said

“I am not going to sit here and deny that it doesn’t,” de Kock remarked when asked about the influence of T20 leagues on his retirement. “It helps with my decision. I’ve been around for 10 or 11 years and I’ve tried to keep my loyalty to the team, which I think I’ve done really well. T20 events – I am not going to deny that there is a lot of money, and coming to the end of your career, guys want to get their final top-up before their career finishes. Any normal person would do it anyway. If I was really not that loyal, I would have done it five years ago when it really took off. Now I am older, and with me coming to the down slope of my career, it’s time.”

Quinton De Kock said, “my body says I’m 40, my ID says I’m 31 and I still mentally try to act like I’m a 20 year old all the time”.

De Kock’s decision is also motivated by his desire to spend more time with his family. He withdrew from Test cricket ahead of the birth of his daughter Kiara, expressing a commitment to be a present father. Furthermore, de Kock admitted that Test cricket had lost its appeal for him over time.

During his international career, de Kock was known for his aggressive style of play, which earned him numerous accolades and memorable performances. As he transitions away from the ODI format, he plans to continue playing T20 cricket and reassess his future career options after taking a gap year. Quinton de Kock’s retirement from ODIs marks the end of an era for South African cricket, and his contributions to the game will be remembered by fans worldwide.