In a recent interview with Mr. 360, AB de Villiers expressed his views on the recently concluded SA20, franchise format, and future of cricket. The interview started with de Villiers’ views on Dewald Brevis and how his game is like Suryakumar Yadav’s. He expressed how they are both aggressive players and do not allow the bowlers to settle. He also mentioned how Brevis is a ‘lot younger’ and still has to learn compared to SKY’s experience playing in IPL franchise games for Mumbai Indians.
Highlighting the demanding nature of the T20, AB de Villiers said that players need to evolve constantly in the current cricket or else they will ‘stagnate’ or lose interest in the game. He said players must reset and check their game now and then and what they want to achieve and work on. He explained how this approach keeps him ‘fresh and committed’ to the game. He also said that once the player feels he cannot raise the bar any further, it can get difficult, and that was his ‘cue to move on.’
When asked about his views on players like Kane Williamson and Joe Root and how they are changing their techniques to keep up with the game, the cricketer said, “It’s great to see world-class players taking their games to the next level, coming up with new shots, finding ways to put more pressure on bowlers because they have that burning desire to be the best player in the world.”
Mr. 360 was also asked about his experience playing franchise cricket and how it was crucial for his development. The player expressed it was enthralling to spend time and play alongside the best players in the world.
He said, “In my first year in the IPL with the Delhi Daredevils I found myself in a dressing room with Glenn McGrath, Tillakaratne Dilshan, and various others. The impact that had on my game was immense and you can see how my game went to the next level from 2008 onwards.”
He further advised how players can take tips and hints from their own game and see how the best players prepare, and if you can learn a few things from their game ‘it will make you a better player.’
When asked how South Africa can start playing ‘the fearless cricket’ like other countries ‘to get back to their dominating days of old,’ de Villiers said that the SA20 has been good for the South African cricket team. The players receive global exposure, and the world is watching the ‘normal domestic players.’ He also stated how the world will soon see few SA players in other global franchise competitions.
Talking about another youngster on the SA20 team, Marco Jansen, de Villiers stated how the franchise game brought limelight on the player. Mr. 360 states he did not know much about Jansen’s game, but his performance in one of the IPL seasons caught his eye. He also said Jansen is an all-rounder bowler and contributes ‘consistently with both bat and ball.’ He expressed Jansen’s similarity to Jacques Kallis and Ben Stokes and how “there’s nothing more rewarding than contributing with both skills.”