AB de Villiers. Picture Credit: Twitter
There is no doubt that AB de Villiers still has the capability to turn any match in his team’s favour, even while he has retired from international cricket. After his heroics in the season opener of IPL 2021, South African head coach Mark Boucher has urged AB de Villiers to come out of retirement and join the national side ahead of the T20 World Cup, slated to be held this year.
De Villiers played a dominating 48-run to lead RCB against defending champions Mumbai Indians in the season opener. It is not only this season, but the star player has been a key factor for RCB for many years now. Considering his form post retirement, his former teammate Mark Boucher wants him to replicate the same for South Africa at the international stage, especially with the men's T20 World Cup to played later this year in the same conditions.
What did Mark Boucher say about AB de Villiers?
On 23 May 2018, De Villiers announced his retirement from all forms of international cricket through a video uploaded on Twitter, in which he explained his decision. One of the statements in his monologue was "I have had my turn, and to be honest, I am tired".
However, now after watching plenty of match-winning performances from de Villiers post his retirement, Mark Boucher has hinted that South Africa could rope in him for T20 World Cup.
The 36-year-old has played 114 Test matches, 228 one-day internationals and 78 Twenty20 matches for the Proteas. The star batsman could be a pivotal add on for South Africa going ahead for the T20 World Cup if they want to bring home the ultimate T20 trophy.
The ICC T20 World Cup was supposed to be held in Australia last year, but was postponed due to the pandemic. As a result, India got an opportunity to host the Grand Men’s T20 World Cup during October and November.