South Africa captain Dean Elgar is shocked by the sudden retirement of veteran wicket-keeper batsman Quinton de Kock from Test cricket. However, the African captain hopes that his team will recover from this setback and try to level the current Test series against India. De Kock announced his retirement from the traditional format of the game at the age of just 29 after the opening Test against India. South Africa (India vs South Africa) had to face defeat by 113 runs in the first Test match played in Centurion.
Dean Elgar said, "I was quite shocked. But when he sat down with Quinny (Quinton de Kock) he gave his reasons and I respect and fully understand his decision. When asked if other players would be affected by his retirement, he said, ' ' I don't think any player will be affected. Now it is our responsibility to act like international players and move ahead. We need to be professional about this. We are in the middle of a Test series right now, so I don't think de Kock's retirement will have any effect on anyone.
Dean Elgar further said, "Players respect the conditions. We feel that we have had some setbacks in the recent past and we need to be smart about it. Will have to overcome this. I don't think the players are still in shock with retirement.
Asked whether it would set a wrong precedent for Test cricket, with talented players giving up the red ball game for the big bucks they get in white-ball cricket. Elgar said, "I don't think his decision is going to jeopardize Test cricket going forward." He said, "He had his reasons and options for retiring. We fully respect this as a group and we as a group have to leave it behind and move on.”
