Former South African captain AB de Villiers is currently focusing only on the impending IPL 2020. After this tournament, he will think about his future in cricket.
The Cricket South Africa (CSA) and the South African team management are desperately trying to provide the returning path for AB de Villiers in the national team targetting the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2020.
Recently, the South African Head Coach Mark Boucher has set the deadline for the experienced senior players to return to the national team before 1st June 2020.
However, at present, AB de Villiers is only eyeing the IPL 2020 where he will serve for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). After this tournament, he will think about his possibility to return to the national team.
De Villiers recently told IANS, “Let’s wait and see what happens. My focus is on the Indian Premier League at the moment and helping Royal Challengers Bangalore realise our full potential. Then we will sit down and have a look at the rest of the year and see what is possible.”
IPL 2020 was initially scheduled to be played between 29th March and 24th May 2020. But due to the coronavirus outbreak, the tournament has been postponed till mid-April.
On the other hand, Australia will host the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2020 from 18th October to 15th November 2020.
Each player must consider his own circumstances and make his own decision: AB de Villiers
De Villiers retired from the international cricket in May 2018 which hugely surprised the cricket world.
However, the right-handed batsman is still dominating the cricket world as he was the leading T20 run-scorer among the male cricketers in the last calendar year (1,580 runs; average 52.67).
The former South African captain is giving more importance to the mental and physical demands. He feels that the players must set their target according to their circumstances.
He claimed, “Each player must consider his own circumstances and make his own decision. I reached a point where I wanted to see more of my wife and two young sons and seek a reasonable balance between family and cricket. The mental and physical demands on the leading players are massive these days, but each player must decide what he can and can’t do.”
De Villiers is still fit enough to make himself busy for the global T20 leagues. The 36-year-old believes that discipline in eating and exercise is the key to maintaining his fitness.
He added, “Discipline is the key. Eating right and regular exercise are extremely important. It becomes a habit. Eat healthy, have a healthy lifestyle, and it’s not difficult at all.”