South Africa should do what it takes to win the World T20 and that includes bringing AB de Villiers back into the squad, feels fielding legend Jonty Rhodes.?
De Villiers last played for South Africa in 2018. He announced his retirement out of the blue, though he did make himself available for the 2019 World Cup. However, the selectors did not take him up on his offer.?
"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," he was quoted by ESPNcricinfo.?
"I suppose a lot of people watch how he performed at the IPL but just watching him in the Big Bash, he's such a class player," he said.?
The World T20 is in Australia and will be held from October 18 to November 15.?
"I think it's interesting because it's a tough call. 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 de Villiers if he is not playing for South Africa, I mean why are you selecting him," he added.?
"You are 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 went on to say.?
"Although difficult to answer that because I'm not somebody who is missing out, I'm also not from the administration about setting this kind of precedent, so I don't have to make that call. It'll just be great to see AB de Villiers play at a World Cup again for us."?
Truth is many fans would love to see him play. We just cannot wait to see him take the field, mesmerise us with his strokeplay. Mark Boucher has given him a deadline till June to make himself available. Then it remains to be seen if he will make the squad.?
Time will tell if De Villiers shall play the World T20. Rhodes has faith and wants him there. Fans certainly agree. ?