South Africa's Faf du Plessis says 'talks have been on' with AB de Villiers over return to international cricket at T20 World Cup

South Africa captain Faf du Plessis has stoked the conversation around AB de Villiers' possible return to international cricket by saying that talks have been going on for over two months now.

"People want AB to play and I am no different. Those conversations have been happening for two or three months already: what does it look like, how does it look over the next year, and that's where it starts." du Plessis said, according to a report in ESPNcricinfo, after his Paarl Rocks team won the Mzansi Super League final on Monday night against Tshwane Spartans, which has de Villiers in their ranks.

AB de Villiers was retained as the marquee player of Tshwane Spartans this season. Image credit: Twitter/@SpartansMSLT20

De Villiers, who is considered as one of the best batsmen the world over for his innovative shot-making, especially suited to limited-overs cricket, called time on his international career last year citing "tiredness" and the need for him to "step aside" and let youngsters play for South Africa.

De Villiers, who plays for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the Indian Premier League (IPL), continues to score big in T20 leagues around the world. He had a stellar Mzansi Super League season — 325 runs in nine matches at 46.62 — scoring a fine 51 off 37 balls for his side Tshwane Spartans in the final.

In the build-up to the World T20 next year, South Africa's T20I schedule isn't too taxing. There will be three matches each against England and Australia at home, before a tour of the West Indies.

A white-ball series in Sri Lanka is also on the cards, although, nothing is finalised. If De Villiers does indeed return to the international fold, he won't be required to play all the matches as he will be involved in the IPL, so adequate game-time won't be an issue.

"Test cricket now is the most important thing but also the T20 World Cup is not too far away and there isn't a lot — I reckon 20 T20s over the season — which won't be that hard on one to do that. Those conversations have already taken place." du Plessis added.