World Cup Win Won't Define Me as a Cricketer - AB de Villiers

Rahul Dravid and Jacques Kallis don’t have World Cup title under their belt. However, the World Cup win doesn’t define them. They were world-class players and will always be remembered as the legends of the game. In fact, the same holds for football star Lionel Messi. Similarly,  former South African talisman batsman AB de Villiers stated that the World Cup win won’t define him.

Meanwhile, AB de Villiers called it a day in May 2018. He felt he was tired both mentally and physically to continue at the International level. However, the Proteas linchpin is still plying on his trade in different T20 leagues of the world. AB is playing for Multan Sultans in the ongoing Pakistan Super League.

de Villiers had sent shocking waves in the cricketing world.

In fact, AB de Villiers retirement decision was may be pushed by mental pressure rather than physical fatigue. He is still playing in different T20 leagues, which takes away the physical tiredness factor.

Meanwhile, AB de Villiers also signed for Middlesex for the upcoming season of T20 Blast.

“It’s exciting that the opportunity to play county cricket has finally come along,” De Villiers told Standard Sport. “And I couldn’t hope for a better club to join. The international schedule was always just too hectic for it to happen sooner. Playing your cricket at Lord’s is a special bonus. I never made it onto that honours board, but I have great memories of playing there.”

Subsequently, AB de Villiers said he has moved on with his retirement. The former Proteas batsman said he doesn’t miss the 90% of the game. de Villiers stated he has made peace with no World Cup title in his cabinet. AB de Villiers was heartbroken after South Africa was knocked out in the semifinal of the 2015 World Cup by New Zealand.

“That’s a tough question to answer,” he said when asked if he misses playing Test cricket. “Playing at the highest level alongside your friends, scoring runs for your country are things that I look back and go, ‘Ah, I miss that a little bit’, but there’s a lot I don’t miss. I don’t miss 90 percent of it. I’ve pretty much moved on. I’ve made peace with the fact that the World Cup will not define me. Yes, it would be nice to add that to what’s been a very enjoyable career, but I know it won’t define me as a person or cricketer.

AB de Villiers will go down as a modern great. However, he could have played more for his national side as he is still fit as a fiddle and he is still a nightmare for the bowlers. But at the end of the day, we all must respect his decision – which is his right.