The reason for South Africa's dismal performance in the 2019 World Cup cannot be entirely attributed to half their team playing in the Indian Premier League.
After it was confirmed on Sunday that South Africa's campaign in the World Cup was over following their humiliating defeat to Pakistan, fingers were being pointed at their players' participation in the IPL that preceded the World Cup.
Cricket South Africa, as per reports from SA, discussed to keep their players fresh for the World Cup and hence minimise their participation in the IPL. Their dejected captain Faf du Plessis spoke about the plan to rest key 'three-format' players for IPL so they were fresh for the World Cup.
This was the first time in 12 editions of IPL that the BCCI's cash-rich league preceded a World Cup. And, the players' participation and injuries were to be safeguarded keeping the all-important quadrennial event in mind.
If it was discussed to rest key players for IPL, why did South Africa not walk the talk? Three of South Africa's key World Cup players, Quinton de Kock, Imran Tahir besides the captain du Plessis himself, stayed till the IPL ended 18 days before their first match of the World Cup, featuring in the final.
Had Kagiso Rabada not experienced stiffness in his lower back during the IPL, he would have played till Delhi Capitals' campaign ended in Qualifier 2. That he was pulled out of IPL in the first week of May did not worsen the situation for the young pacer who has disappointed with his performances in the World Cup.
Captain du Plessis should have been firm in his stance of pulling out of IPL halfway through.
Or, like some of the players from other countries – Aaron Finch and Glenn Maxwell of Australia, to name a few – stayed away from this year's IPL.
That it did not happen the way CSA had planned, and du Plessis was part of the discussions before the IPL, was not the hallmark of firm and successful captain or that of a team. That du Plessis and two others chose to play till the IPL final indicated that there was more at stake (read: money).
Here is where South Africa's approach to IPL differed from other nations, say Australia or England. To these countries, country came first. Mitchell Marsh has repeatedly avoided IPL to be fresh for the international assignments that followed IPL in the past.
Always in demand, Finch and Maxwell stayed away from IPL this year to focus on the World Cup. England and Australia withdrew their players from the latter part of IPL to prepare for the World Cup.
South Africa should have followed suit, especially when it was discussed to this extent during the home series against Sri Lanka in early March.
South Africa also faulted in allowing a not-so-fully fit Dale Steyn to play in IPL. That his troubled shoulder flared up after only his second match for Royal Challengers Bangalore, which did not heal and was subsequently ruled out of the World Cup did not help the Proteas' cause.
No doubt, South Africa players have been regular in IPL over the years. Even those who haven't been household names plied their trade in IPL. But they should have, this time at least, done the sensible thing of managing their players so that their World Cup performance is not affected.
Or at least, IPL would not have been one of the reasons for their poor World Cup show.
South Africa's dismal run this World Cup will be a lesson for not just them but all other nations as to how important it is to manage their players' participation in the attractive leagues, especially when a crucial international assignment is on the horizon.