IND vs SA | Not sure if captaincy would affect me negatively or positively, says Quinton de Kock
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Quinton de Kock, who has been appointed the captain of South Africa's T20I team in the absence of Faf du Plessis, has stated that he is unsure about how captaincy will affect him as a cricketer. De Kock also expressed his disappointment over the abandonment of the first T20I in Dharamsala.
In what could perhaps turn out to be a new chapter in South African cricket books, Quinton de Kock will lead the side in the T20Is against India. Having played more than 100 ODIs, the 26-year-old is now one of the more senior members of the side and was hence given the captain's armband in the absence of incumbent du Plessis. Coach Enoch Nkwe also said that South Africa are lining de Kock up as their next skipper post the du Plessis era.
While the wicket-keeper batsman believes that it'll be a stepping stone in his career, he is unsure about the kind of impact it will have on him while he's on the field.
"Not too concerned to be honest. It is a new stepping stone in my career, gives me extra responsibility. Not sure if it would affect me negatively or positively," de Kock said in the pre-match press conference, reported Times of India.
De Kock insisted that despite the likes of du Plessis and AB de Villiers missing from the squad, he will go about his game the same way and play with the same kind of freedom with which he used to, pre-captaincy. De Kock also further discussed the grooming of youngsters within the team and the responsibility himself and other senior players have in their hands when it comes to handling them.
"I think they (Faf and ABD) gave me lots of room to play the way I wanted to. I don't see it why that would change without them being here.
"Even they in their career have had to do the same thing we are doing. So we will take it as it comes. In the leadership group in the team we have had a chat (on grooming the youngsters). It is under control so far but we are still learning as part of a young leadership group," he said.
The 26-year-old further went on to express his disappointment over the abandonment of the first match, which has now left the team with one less match to prepare and get their combinations right ahead of the World T20 next year.
"It is a bit of a negative," de Kock said of the first match which got washed out.
"We would like to have played three games against the Indian team. Leading into the World Cup, to lose out on a game in different conditions, it is not ideal but it is what it is," he added.
Post the conclusion of the IPL, de Kock stirred controversy by stating that the IPL win was the biggest achievement of his career. The comment did not age well with many a former South African cricketer - especially due to the timing of the comment, ahead of the World Cup - but the newly-appointed skipper is still of the same opinion and feels that his IPL triumph with Mumbai Indians is his biggest achievement till date.
"It is the biggest thing I have won so far. What can I say. If we win a World Cup that would be the biggest achievement. IPL final is a big achievement for any cricketer.
"As cricketers we want to be part of IPL finals and World Cup finals. Everyone has opinion. My opinion is mine. It is the biggest thing I have achieved so far," he said of the matter.
De Kock also stated that he was looking forward to the battle between Virat Kohli and Kagiso Rabada, a contest that has been hyped up ahead of the encounter.
"They both are good players in their own way. It will be a good contest. They like being very positive in the way they play." he signed off.
