Batsman Jon-Jon Smuts has suggested health complications were behind his late omission from the Proteas squad for three T20Is against India.

Smuts was included in the squad for the T20Is in Dharamsala, Mohali and Bengaluru, but later withdrew after failing to meet the team’s fitness requirements this month.

‘There’s many things you need to consider with diabetes and diet is just one of them. I live quite a different lifestyle from a lot of people. I have things I have to deal with on a daily basis‚ if I can put it that way,’ Smuts told TimesLIVE.

‘I haven’t had an injury niggle. I had to be ready for the first domestic game that’s taking place on 7 October. That’s what happened and everything was a bit of a rush.’

The hard-hitting Smuts, who was recently named Warriors Cricketer of the Year, played eight T20Is between 2017 and 2018 under head coach Ottis Gibson, whose tenure has since ended.

‘I can’t talk too much‚ especially with the Proteas being in India right now. We know the restructuring is taking place so there’s a lot that’s happening,’ he added.

‘I can’t really comment in terms of what really happened. We’ll leave to CSA to discuss when everybody gets back.

‘It’s always a matter of opinions, I suppose. There are protocols that you have to follow. Things can happen very quickly in the winter‚ if I can put it like that. I was pretty much out of the system in the old regime but things changed quickly‚ which I think caught a lot of people by surprise.

‘I’ve been told the door is still open for me. That’s how I see it and if I still put in the performances‚ I may be considered.’

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