The outbreak of coronavirus has left a huge question mark on cricket marquee events. While the Indian Premier League (IPL) is already in danger of being canceled this year, the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in Australia also looks to be in trouble. The mega event set to begin on October 18, but the ICC is rethinking about the tournament because of the ongoing pandemic.
Moreover, the current situation has hampered AB de Villiers’ plans to return to international cricket. Some time ago, he had a conversation with new head coach Mark Boucher and expressed his desire to wear a South African jersey before the T20 World Cup. However, it is now unknown about the return of de Villiers if the World Cup postponed to next year.
The 36-year-old said he does not like creating false hopes and does not know if his body will support him next year. AB de Villiers said he is currently available, despite fearing any commitment to 2021.
“I don’t see six months into the future. If the tournament postponed to next year, many things would change. At the moment, I’m available, but at the same time, I don’t know how my body looks at it, and at that point, I will be healthy.
“I might be able to tell Coach Mark Boucher that I was interested in and I would like to play a role but I can’t play by myself. I fear such a commitment, and creating false hope,” he said to an Afrikaans-language Sunday newspaper ‘ Rapport’.
I don’t want special treatment, says AB de Villiers
AB de Villiers remembers what happened during last year’s World Cup. After reports that he had made himself available for the mega event before the team was selected, many accused of granting his place on the team despite his retirement. This is why the former Proteas captain is eager to return based on his skills and does not want to be accustomed.
“I was unfortunate and scared in the past, that’s why I am uncertain about giving a particular answer. Then people will think again I have turned my back on our country. I can’t walk into the team. I have to work for my place and qualify for it. It was so hurt last year that people thought I had a place in the team. I feel available, I will give it away with everything I have, but I don’t want any special treatment,” De Villiers added.
