With a new coaching regime in place, talks are ongoing, says skipper Faf du Plessis, with AB de Villiers regarding a potential retirement u-turn playing again for South Africa. Earlier head coach Mark Boucher too said he would love to have the mighty batsman back especially with two back-to-back T20 World Cups coming up. 

Read Also: Mark Boucher may convince AB de Villiers to come out of international retirement

"Those conversations have been happening two or three months ago," Du Plessis said after leading Paarl Rocks to Mzansi Super League 2019 title on Monday (December 16). "Obviously Test cricket is the most important thing right now but T20 cricket is a different beast," he added, suggesting clearly that De Villiers is unlikely to resume playing Test cricket but the shortest version is definitely less taxing to the body. 

The 35-year-old has been spending more time with his family since bidding adieu to international cricket last year and turning up in various leagues around the world.  

"It’s not a lot of time away from home," the captain said. "Obviously with a full campaign you have to spend a lot of time on the road. The T20 World Cup is not too far away and there isn’t a long list of T20 internationals over the season. Those conversations have taken place and they will take place before the next T20 international series starts."

Du Plessis is also relieved with the new set-up in place under Graeme Smith, the director of cricket, and coach Boucher ahead of the Test series against England starting December 26 in Centurion. 

"It was the dark ages last week and there is a little light this week," he said. "It’s very important. It will help the dressing room and even the support of the team. Everyone wants the team to do well, everyone wants to make sure we get the right people in the right positions. It’s exciting. I’m very excited with the start of this new journey."

(Inputs from PTI)