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Why Kyle Verreynne’s T20I debut for South Africa still remains a distant dream

Soumyajit Dutta

Kyle Verreynne in Test whites [Source: @ABsay_ek/X.com]Kyle Verreynne in Test whites [Source: @ABsay_ek/X.com]

Kyle Verreynne is a name that is now synonymous with South Africa's Test cricket setup. Though the name sounds 'new' to many, for the Proteas setup, he was only second to Keshav Maharaj in terms of experience during the Zimbabwe Test series earlier in June this year.

Though Kyle Verreynne proved his mettle with his wicketkeeping and batting abilities in red-ball cricket, he is still treated as an 'option' for senior pro Ryan Rickelton. 29 Test matches, 19 ODI caps, both boasting an average of 30+ for the 28-year-old. Obviously, the maiden T20I cap is yet to come for the right-handed Proteas batter.

Is Kyle Verreynne a poor T20 cricket player?

Of course, if we hear about a man being in the game for almost 5 years and considered almost a senior in the red-ball format, we intuitively consider him as an all-format player, especially if he is a batter. But that is not the case for Kyle. 

Verreynne have played 86 T20 matches for franchises like Cape Cobras, Western Province and Pretoria Capitals. Kyle boasts figures like 116 off just 52 balls against MI Cape Town while playing for the Capitals. he has got those big-hitting shots in his arsenal. 

Kyle can switch gears quickly. The slog sweeps, powerful 'nasty' slashers over the bowler's top, Kyle has everything that is required for a powerful middle-order anchor in a T20I team. 

In fact, his glorious 77 off just 42 balls against Boland in the  CSA T20 Challenge was a picture-perfect knock that anchored an early collapse of Province at the fifth over. 

Pressure handling? Ticked off the list. 

Then why is Kyle still not getting his maiden T20I stint for his team that is now the perfect breeding ground for emerging T20I stars?

The curious case of Kyle

The answer lies in the question itself. South Africa, in recent years, has produced players like Dewald Brevis and Matthew Breetzke who have more credibility and more explosiveness in T20I cricket than Kyle Verreynne. Lhuan-dre Pretorius is another mention who rose through the ranks quickly after his domestic whirlwind caught everyone's eye.

Secondly, everyone is aware of Quinton de Kock's ability with the bat. He is a monster at the top and can provide the firepower while keeping wickets. Lhuan-dre Pretorius is also in the current squad for the Pakistan T20I tour, which makes him an alternate wicketkeeping option for de Kock. Moreover, Lhuan also carries the same aggressive and explosive intent as de Kock.

Hence, till de Kock, at 32, is established and doing the long run for his national team, it is hard for Kyle to find a place in the T20I setup anytime soon.