Young Players Need to Take Hard Decisions to Succeed: AB de Villiers

Updated - 12 Jun 2018, 07:49 PM

AB de Villiers
AB de Villiers (Credits - Getty)

Former South African batsman AB de Villiers said youngsters must take tough decisions in order to succeed in the gentleman’s game.

The Talismanic Proteas batter added young cricketers should work hard in their career in a bid to excel.

Furthermore, de Villiers went on to add when a player makes his way on to the public stage, there is a lot of pressure to perform.

The pressure is there on the young players from all around the media.

AB de Villiers
Photo Credit: Getty Images.

AB de Villiers has gone down as a modern day great:

Meanwhile, de Villiers surprisingly decided to call it a day from the International arena.

Therefore, the former South African leader had sent shocking waves in the cricketing world.

“When you enter the public stage, there is a lot of pressure on your shoulders to perform at the highest level every time. Any young player looking to succeed needs to make tough choices, work hard and always stay focused. Starting a family and recovering from injury, I managed to find a balance,” De Villiers told IANS.

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The right-handed batter went on to add there is a lot of distraction when a player finds the fame in the first place. Thus, it is pivotal to keep one’s foot on the ground after achieving early success.

“There are a lot of distractions that any player must navigate in their career. It can feel like everyone wants a piece of you when you get closer to the top,” the former South Africa captain said.

Star batter followed the mantra of working hard on his game. AB de Villiers believes that it is imperative to be true to oneself both on and off the field.

AB de Villiers
Credits: Getty Images.

“To follow your dreams, to be honest and to work hard at whatever you do. Whether you’re on the cricket pitch or at home: being true to yourself is the best.”

De Villiers went on to reveal the basic mentality of a batsman. The former linchpin added batsman should have a map of fielders in his mind.

Moreover, de Villiers added the batter should try to gauge where the bowler will bowl to him.

“There are two elements to bear in mind when you take guard – the first is the position of the fielders, so you can try to hit the ball into gaps, and the second is the place where you think the bowler is going to deliver the ball,” de Villiers concluded.

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South Africa national cricket team