AB de Villiers Should Return Quickly: Former South Africa All-Rounder

AB de Villiers wanted to reverse retirement to make a comeback in World Cup 2019. But by the time, he made himself available, South Africa had already selected their final squad for the marquee tournament. With the T20 World Cup slated to take place in 2020, de Villiers is in picture to make a return to the squad, as Proteas coach Mark Boucher looks in favour of it. Boucher, however, has set a deadline of 1 June 2020 for a final decision on availability.

Fomer South Africa all-rounder Brian McMillan said he was always in favour of de Villiers’ return. He echoed former teammate Jonty Rhodes sentiments and said the premier batsman should make a quick return to the side.

‘Would be fantastic to see AB de Villiers back’

McMillan believes de Villiers is the greatest ever batsman to have donned the South African jersey. He is also a big fan of the former South Africa captain’s attitude, performance and winning ways.

“I would absolutely be in favour of AB making a comeback to South Africa’s T20I side with the T20 World Cup in mind. It would be fantastic to see De Villiers in the green and gold again and I believe that we need to get him back as quickly as possible,’ McMillan told Sport24 – and effectively echoed former team-mate Jonty Rhodes’ sentiment.

‘For me, the 36-year-old is one of the greatest ever cricketers from South Africa. What I like most about him is his attitude, performances and winning way. Everything about De Villiers epitomises class and his winning way is rounded off with enjoyment.”

Jonty Rhodes on AB de Villiers’ potential return

‘I think it’s interesting because it’s a tough call,” Rhodes told ESPNcricinfo.

‘You want your best team to play, it’s also tough on the guys who then miss out. You know AB is a very special player, so then do you set a precedent for a guy like AB? If he is not playing for South Africa, I mean, why are you selecting him?

‘I suppose a lot of people watch how he performed at the Indian Premier League, but just watching him in the Big Bash League, he’s such a class player – I’m a big fan of AB de Villiers. I’m just not sure of the precedent. If you want to win a T20 World Cup, you should do anything to win it.

‘You’re not breaking any rules, you are setting a slight precedent and you are going to be upsetting a few players who are going to miss out. But a team without AB de Villiers or a team with AB de Villiers, I’d love to see that guy play,” he added.