T20 World Cup 2024: Ryan Rickleton opens up on 'awkward few days' with Rassie van der Dussen after squad announcement

The selection of South African wicketkeeper-batter Ryan Rickleton in the 15-member squad for the T20 World Cup 2024 would have been a dream come true, considering his modest international record. However, the joy was rather short-lived as Rickelton realised that his provincial teammate and close friend Rassie van der Dussen did not make the cut.

Despite an eight-year age gap, Rickelton and van der Dussen have forged a deep bond akin to brothers, as seen in their playful banter about fashion and golf on social media. Rickleton lamented the awkwardness that ensued between him and van der Dussen after the squad announcement, with both avoiding messaging each other. He also felt that being such a close friend of van der Dussen, he should have taken the initative and consoled him after the unfortunate event.

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"It made for an awkward few days. Our relationship was strained. Neither of us messaged each other. It was a tough one. We are very very close and I probably was in the wrong [for not calling],” Rickleton was quoted as saying by timeslive.co.za.

I was extremely gutted for him: Rickleton on van der Dussen

Rickleton felt for van der Dussen after not being selected in the sqaud. In fact, after a few days of their radio silence, Rickleton mentioned that they exchanged messages, with van der Dussen congratulating Rickleton and the latter commiserating him. Rickleton also remarked that a player of van der Dussen's caliber should be an automatic selection for the majority of the squads. He also said that their friendship is hard as a rock and will continue to be the same forever.

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“I was extremely gutted for him. We did actually chat about it, I did give my sympathies to him and he sent congratulations to me, but our relationship is still strong and solid as ever. I do feel for him, he is a phenomenal player and would walk into most squads around the world,” added Rickleton.