Spectators of cricket were devastated to see the Proteas lose the 2015 World Cup semi-final match between South Africa and New Zealand. The recollection of South African players crying on the field is still vivid. During that competition, Faf du Plessis was an essential member of the Proteas team. He has provided insights into the emotional upheaval that followed that heartbreaking defeat in the dressing room.
Thinking back on that momentous occasion, Faf du Plessis characterized it as an uncommon occurrence in his cricketing career. He said he had never seen a changing room look so hopeless. He underlined the weather’s crucial impact, pointing out that when it stopped raining, New Zealand’s main bowlers had almost finished their allocated overs. Brendon McCullum and his ilk were able to cause havoc because the game was cut short due to rain, which the Proteas had been defending a mark of 400.
People tend to forget that all of their top bowlers were out when we were batting first and the rain started, even though we were obviously aiming for 400. Someone with a strong start, such as Brendon McCullum, enters the game in a reduced format. During a Star Sports pre-match show, Du Plessis stated, “We had one or two chances, it wasn’t an unlucky game.”
He then on, “But, my goodness, after that game, I have never seen a change room so broken.” When I was younger, I saw Lion King, and it was the last time I sobbed this much. I sat in the dressing room after that day and began to cry uncontrollably. Looking around, I noticed eight or nine individuals who were completely broken. It’s both the greatest cricket match I have ever played in and the worst since everything that transpired,” he declared.
Here’s what Faf du Plessis said:
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A World Cup defeat in 2015 that forever altered AB de Villiers’ cricket career
Former South Africa captain AB de Villiers disclosed that the agonising recollection of his side’s defeat to New Zealand in the 2015 World Cup semifinal had a profound effect on him, affecting his mood for almost a year and being a major factor in his sudden decision to retire from international cricket.
South Africa lost to New Zealand by four wickets using the D/L method in that rain-affected semi-final. De Villiers was open about the enormous difficulty he had in accepting that devastating loss.
“I tried to bite the bullet and stay there even though that really tired me out a little.” I had a great batting line-up. De Villiers had said to Harsha Bhogle, “I still had incredible friendships and memories.”
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