AB de Villiers fondly called as AB, is a perfect all-rounder and a true legend in modern cricket. He can play any format of the game with equal ease. Currently he is the best player in ODI cricket, way ahead of the elite group, comprising of players like Virat Kohli, Kane Williamson, etc. In Test cricket also he is a top quality batsman with ICC ranking 3.
This South African cricketer is so talented that he can shift gears as and when required. Currently he is the most valuable cricketer on the planet. A humble person, an ideal team man, an impact player, all these qualities make de Villiers any captain’s delight.
AB is an asset to the South African cricket team, and such an invaluable talent should be supported by his team mates as well. But in the recent times, this is not happening as talented players like Faf Du Plessis, Hashim Amla, and JP Duminy are getting dismissed in a bizarre way not contributing enough with bat, creating a lot of pressure on AB to perform for his team.
Some Facts:
*.De Villiers who had bowled hardly 25 overs in ODI’s, had to bowl 3 crucial overs in world cup semi-finals against New Zealand. In a must win situation, he had to bowl 3 overs, because South African bowlers were not effective that day.
*.In the recently concluded Test series between India and South Africa, AB was the only person from South African team to register a score of more than 50.
*.During Bangladesh tour, when AB was not playing due to injury, South Africa lost to Bangladesh in ODI’s. Although due credit should be given to Bangladesh, but with the likes of Amla, Du Plessis, Duminy, Miller, no one expects south African team to lose.
*.In current series against England, de Villiers has been asked to keep wicket in order to find a space for new batsman. Still South Africa managed to score a paltry 214 with only de Villiers and Dean Elgar playing good cricket. The score clearly reflects that SA batsman are inexperienced as well as out of form.
All this and many more facts just shows, SA team is over dependent on De Villiers. As a cricket fan I want to see loads of heroics from AB, but for that he needs support from his team mates as well. He can’t continue to be a lone warrior for his team.
As we know legends thrive under pressure and in same way, AB will continue to flourish and will make all cricket enthusiasts chant his name “AB” “AB”.
