Active Stocks
Thu Mar 28 2024 15:59:33
  1. Tata Steel share price
  2. 155.90 2.00%
  1. ICICI Bank share price
  2. 1,095.75 1.08%
  1. HDFC Bank share price
  2. 1,448.20 0.52%
  1. ITC share price
  2. 428.55 0.13%
  1. Power Grid Corporation Of India share price
  2. 277.05 2.21%
Business News/ Industry / Media/  2016 World T20: AB de Villiers at his best when he assesses conditions: Faf du Plessis
BackBack

2016 World T20: AB de Villiers at his best when he assesses conditions: Faf du Plessis

With Gayle having set up the WI win with a 47-ball 100, expectations are high that AB de Villiers, will be able to do something similar for SA

AB de Villiers who averages more than 50 in both Tests and ODIs has managed just 1258 runs at 22.87 in 64 innings in the T20 internationals. AFPPremium
AB de Villiers who averages more than 50 in both Tests and ODIs has managed just 1258 runs at 22.87 in 64 innings in the T20 internationals. AFP

Though India were anointed overwhelming favourites before the ICC World Twenty20 2016 began, South Africa were seen as one of the sides most likely to upset home calculations. The Proteas have travelled with the favourites’ tag many times before, and consistently come up short. Having seen India trounced in their tournament opener, Faf du Plessis, the South African captain, wasn’t the least bit interested in pre-tournament billing.

“Basically for me, it just shows that anyone can be beaten on the day," he said of India’s defeat. “You can never ever disrespect any other team, no matter how small that might look. We, or rather I, certainly learnt it the hard way in the 2011 World Cup. New Zealand looked like the minnows, they didn’t play their best cricket and they smashed us in the quarterfinal.

“I suppose India might have thought the wicket looks dry, and they should beat them convincingly because it’s their conditions. But it just shows that you have to respect the opposition."

South Africa tried out three openers in the recent Twenty20 series against Australia. Quinton de Kock played all the matches, while Hashim Amla replaced AB de Villiers for the final game. In this competition, all three could be part of the line-up, but du Plessis said that flexibility would be the name of the game.

“You definitely have to look at different grounds, and see where the danger period of the game lies," he said. “For me, the most pleasing thing is that we’ve got guys in form. We will pick guys who are in form, and can adapt to the conditions. I don’t think we will have a fixed team. We have two games here (in Mumbai), and then move to Nagpur, which is a completely different wicket."

West Indies overhauled England’s 182 with 11 balls to spare, and du Plessis was uncertain about what constituted a good total on a Wankhede surface he said was conducive to a ‘T20 run feast’. “I feel this is one of the best grounds in India, where there is a bit in it for the bowlers as well," he said. “If you have bowlers who do the right things, especially early on. I’ve also been on that side where teams have gotten a lot of wickets upfront, and then it becomes really difficult to get back in the game, because you’re chasing quite a big score.

“I think it’s a fantastic place to play T20 cricket. There is a bit of bounce, bit of swing, and the ball travels. The spinners are not as much in the match as they would be in other grounds in India. But that’s the great thing about a tournament like this. You have variety. It’s good to go from one ground to a different surface, and as a team you need to adapt."

With Chris Gayle having set up the West Indies win with a 47-ball 100, expectations are high that AB de Villiers, a hugely popular figure with Indian crowds, will be able to do something similar for South Africa. “They are two completely different players," said du Plessis. “But both need the same keys to succeed. There has to be an element of setting yourself up as a batter. You never really see Chris go from ball one, and just start smashing. He definitely sets himself up, and it’s the same with AB. He plays at his best when he assesses the conditions and sees what the bowlers are about. Then, when he gets that sniff, he becomes really hard to bowl to."

Hype, however, is very different from reality. In Twenty20 internationals, de Villiers hasn’t come close to matching Gayle’s standards. The man who averages more than 50 in both Tests and ODIs has managed just 1258 runs at 22.87 in 64 innings. Gayle has 1506 at 37.65 and a markedly superior strike-rate (145.6 to 128.9).

In his last ODI here, de Villiers smashed 119 from 61 balls. His last IPL outing at the Wankhede saw him make 133 not out from just 59 balls. He needs to discover that kind of form in the only format that he hasn’t quite mastered. If he does, England’s callow bowling line-up could be in for even more pain.

Mint is in content partnership with Wisden India for 2016 ICC World T20.

Unlock a world of Benefits! From insightful newsletters to real-time stock tracking, breaking news and a personalized newsfeed – it's all here, just a click away! Login Now!

Catch all the Industry News, Banking News and Updates on Live Mint. Download The Mint News App to get Daily Market Updates.
More Less
Published: 18 Mar 2016, 01:33 PM IST
Next Story footLogo
Recommended For You
Switch to the Mint app for fast and personalized news - Get App