Lhuan-dre Pretorius is on a dream run. Solely final yr did the wicketkeeper-batter play the Below-19 World Cup, ending because the event’s top-scorer with 287 runs. And now, in only a yr and a half, the 19-year-old has already represented South Africa throughout codecs, turn out to be the nation’s youngest to attain a 150 on Check debut—and the quickest for South Africa in 157 balls—and has been retained by Rajasthan Royals (RR) for IPL 2026.
For somebody who nonetheless says he lies in mattress questioning how he ended up opening the innings with Quinton de Kock, Pretorius has had a profession that appears to be working forward of his age. At the moment with South Africa-A for the three-match one-day collection in opposition to India-A on the Niranjan Shah Stadium, the highly-rated teen spoke to Sportstar after a unending web session on the eve of the second recreation.
Q: You didn’t appear to need to get out of the nets…
A: I like batting, so it’s arduous to get me out. Coach really informed me “final ball”—I didn’t get an choice. It was enjoyable. It’s my first time in Rajkot, however not the primary time in India. The lights had been stunning in coaching; I actually loved it.
Because the IPL 2025, you’ve been travelling across the subcontinent—Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and India. How have the final 2–3 months been?
Actually good. I’m grateful I’ve been to all 4 nations. Every has one thing distinctive. I like India; it’s near my coronary heart. I’m not too removed from Jaipur as effectively, the place the Rajasthan Royals are based mostly. It’s beautiful being right here, and I’m excited for the collection.
You bought retained right now. How do you’re feeling about that?
Actually pleased and excited. It’s a dream come true. Sadly, Sanju Samson’s gone now, however Ravindra Jadeja is a legend. Taking part in with guys like (Yashasvi) Jaiswal and Riyan (Parag), whom I’ll be taking part in in opposition to tomorrow… It’s superb. Tremendous excited.
READ: Sanju Samson traded to CSK, Ravindra Jadeja returns to RR
Regardless of being 19, you weren’t the youngest in your IPL workforce. How was being with Vaibhav Suryavanshi like?
They included me actually properly. The primary time I joined as a substitute (of Nitish Rana), I sat subsequent to Vaibhav on the flight and puzzled how the 2 youngest gamers had been sitting in entrance whereas the seniors had been on the again. I nonetheless chat with Vaibhav usually; in truth, I used to be chatting with him this morning.
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And the way was your coach, Rahul Dravid, like?
He was actually good. He spoke to me about my recreation and even messaged and referred to as me after the IPL—about the place I stand and the plan going ahead. Sadly, he gained’t be the coach this yr. He’s a fantastic man, and I’d like to remain near him.
You’re usually linked with Quinton de Kock, your position mannequin, and also you opened with him within the Pakistan collection. What was that like?
I get this query loads and nonetheless don’t know methods to reply it. I’m misplaced for phrases. I nonetheless lie in mattress some nights pondering, “Wow, that really occurred.” I used to be nervous. I got here off a duck within the T20s (vs Pakistan), however he calmed me down, informed me to play naturally, and belief my instincts. Off the sphere, we speak cricket: what he’s realized and what I can enhance. I need to fill his footwear sooner or later. That may take arduous work.
South Africa’s Lhuan-dre Pretorius, left, and Quinton de Kock run between the wickets throughout their third ODI in opposition to Pakistan in Faisalabad n November 8.
| Picture Credit score:
AP
South Africa’s Lhuan-dre Pretorius, left, and Quinton de Kock run between the wickets throughout their third ODI in opposition to Pakistan in Faisalabad n November 8.
| Picture Credit score:
AP
What’s the one trait of his you admire most?
His calmness. On the sphere, he appears to be like like he doesn’t care, however he cares loads. We as soon as spoke about World Cups—he acquired emotional speaking about losses. It confirmed how a lot taking part in for South Africa means to him. His shot choice, readability, decision-making… all the things displays that calmness.
How was it dealing with him while you performed in SA20?
I bear in mind dealing with him in SA20 and being starstruck. Couldn’t even look again when he was preserving. Now that I do know him a bit, it’ll be thrilling. I’d prefer to assume we’ve constructed a little bit of a friendship.
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You’re 19. Did you count on to play all codecs for South Africa so early?
No, I didn’t. However I believe everybody’s journey is totally different from mine. I used to be lucky that mine occurred actually shortly. I simply had to ensure I used to be prepared earlier than every recreation and each collection—I attempted my finest to do this. Was I prepared earlier than each collection? I believe so. Performances could not have been there, however I simply labored tougher.
What distinction have you ever seen coming in from the U-19 degree?
Worldwide cricket is certainly a special degree—that’s what I’ve skilled now; it’s arduous. You possibly can prepare as arduous as you need for it, but it surely’s subsequent degree while you’re on the market. It’s your ability versus the bowler’s ability, and it’s robust. That’s why it’s referred to as worldwide cricket. It takes all the things; your approach, psychological house, and all the things else are examined. I’ve simply tried to be prepared earlier than each recreation.
How was taking part in Check cricket?
I believe in Check cricket, in comparison with four-day cricket again house, they bowl a bit faster, they usually hold that power constant all through the day, each innings, and all spells. From the primary spell to the final, the power is precisely the identical as that first ball. In home cricket, I really feel the primary ball has good power, after which after that, it retains slowing down. In white-ball cricket as effectively, you get only a few unhealthy balls, so you need to work out your recreation and have a recreation plan to attain off a great ball.
You recorded one of many quickest 150s in Assessments. Do you know about that file previous to reaching the feat?
Solely after the sport. It was loopy. A whole lot of issues occurred so shortly for me. I didn’t know methods to take all of it in. However yeah, data are data; they arrive and go. However I need to go away a legacy. And I need to be the most effective model of myself.
What would you like the following 2-3 years to appear like?
I don’t look too far forward. I simply need to rating runs wherever I play, work arduous off the sphere, and keep current. What’s meant to be shall be.
What’s your motivation for this collection?
I simply need to rating as many runs as potential and assist the workforce win. That’s my mindset each recreation: add worth the place I can.
And rating at an excellent charge?
They’ve a world bowling assault; it’s actually skilful. We’re up in opposition to correct bowlers. I’m actually wanting ahead to the problem. It’s going to be a brand new problem for me. And a brand new problem for everybody. Situations will decide how I’ll bat.
Revealed on Nov 15, 2025