AB de Villiers will not be returning to play for South Africa in the 2021 T20 World Cup, the country’s cricket board said in a statement on Tuesday.
Ab de Villiers will not return to South Africa team
When the squads for South Africa’s tours of West Indies and Ireland were announced on Tuesday (May 18), De Villiers’ name was missing.
This raised a lot of eyebrows only until Cricket South Africa clarified in its press release that the discussions with the now-retired cricketer ended with him deciding to not play for the country again.
“Discussions with AB de Villiers have concluded with the batsman deciding once and for all, that his retirement will remain final,” Cricket South Africa said in its statement.
AB de Villiers was in great form in IPL 2021
AB de Villiers, playing for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), was in great form during the 14th edition of the IPL.
He had played multiple match-winning knocks for his team and had amassed 207 runs in six innings at an average of 51.75 and an amazing strike rate of 164.29 while also hitting 16 fours and 10 massive sixes.
After hitting a match-winning 76 not out off just 34 deliveries against Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2021, De Villiers had said that he would talk with South Africa coach Mark Boucher about a potential return.
“If I can slot in, it will be fantastic,” De Villiers had said. “I am absolutely interested, with regards to my form, my fitness, we have to get the best 15 together, we will plan accordingly. I am speaking with Boucher towards the end of IPL.”
Faf du Plessis too loses his spot
Meanwhile, in another shocking decision, CSA have decided not to include their top batsman Faf du Plessis in their ODI squad against Ireland and T20I squad against West Indies.
Faf retired from Tests earlier this year but was expecting to contribute especially in the T20 format with the World Cup looming later in the year. It remains to be seen if he is not available or not considered for the tours.
