AB de Villiers Denies Reports Of Receiving Offer To Lead South Africa

Former South Africa captain AB de Villiers has denied reports stating that he was given an offer to lead the Proteas again. The batting legend, who retired from international cricket in 2018, is currently in talks with South Africa team-management over a potential comeback to the national team.

Ever since Mark Boucher took charge of the team as head coach in December, speculations over AB de Villiers’ return have been rife. The right-handed batsman had also expressed his desire of playing in last year’s World Cup. However, his proposal was turned down by the then team-management.

And while only time will tell whether AB de Villiers dons the South African jersey once again or not, a TV channel quoted him as saying that he was offered to lead his country in international cricket again. However, AB de Villiers himself took to Twitter to deny the report, tweeting:

“Reports suggesting Cricket SA have asked me to lead the Proteas are just not true. It’s hard to know what to believe these days.”

Reports suggesting Cricket SA have asked me to lead the Proteas are just not true. It's hard to know what to believe these days. Crazy times. Stay safe everyone.

— AB de Villiers (@ABdeVilliers17) April 29, 2020

Star Sports show ‘Cricket Connected’, in a press release, quoted him as saying that he has “been asked by Cricket South Africa to lead the Proteas again”. Before bringing down curtains on his illustrious international career, AB de Villiers played 114 Tests, 228 ODIs and 78 T20Is for South Africa.

And while speculations are rife over his potential return to international return, AB de Villiers has made it clear that he would make a comeback only if he feels that he is good enough to play at the international level.

“The most important thing to me is that I have got to be in top form and I have got to be better than the player next to me. If I feel I deserve my spot in the side, it becomes much easier for me to feel that I should be part of the playing XI,” he said.

“I have not been part of the Proteas for a while and I feel that it’s important for myself and for other people to see that I am still good enough to be there,” he added.

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