"I really want to get right this time," AB de Villiers not committing to T20 World Cup due to COVID 19

De Villiers retired from international cricket in 2018.

AB de Villiers, the charismatic South African batsman is keen on getting ready to represent the national team once more. However, due to the Coronavirus pandemic, there is no clarity when that day would come.

The former Proteas captain had retired to the shock of the world in 2018, said he is not ready to commit to playing the T20 World Cup at the moment due to the uncertainty surrounding the global T20 spectacle, scheduled to be held in Australia in October-November.

"Yes, that is one of my big worries. The schedule over the next 12-24 months is very unclear. No one knows where this virus is heading and what's going to happen with the cricket schedule around the world," AB de Villiers said during the 'Cricket Connected' show on Star Sports.  

AB de Villiers said he wants to get things right by communicating to head coach Mark Boucher and Director of Cricket Graeme Smith at the right time.

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"That is one of the big reasons why I am not committing to any cricket at the moment. I have always been a person who tries to stay in now as much as possible, for now, it is important for me to think there might be a possibility that I could play for SA again. For now, it is important to be as fit as possible. I am spending time on the treadmill at the gym making sure that I am fitter, stronger, and healthier than the person next to me whoever is going to be my competition,” he said.

He mentioned that he wanted to get things right this time and do it the proper way.

He said, “Yes things might change if the tournament [T20 World Cup] gets postponed to 2021, I don't know. To be honest, it is something I don't want to commit to at the moment because of past experiences... really getting hurt in the past. I sort of burnt myself in the past by committing to certain things I wasn't 100% sure of... not communicating as well as I wanted to, to the right people at the right time.”

"It's something I really want to get right this time,” he signed off.

He revealed that he had talks with head coach Mark Boucher during the Mzansi Super League in November-December 2019.

"Yes, I had some discussions with Mark Boucher during the Mzansi Super League in South Africa. We had a lot of fun with the Tshwane Spartans, the team that I played for. With Boucher as a coach, I really enjoyed my time there. Boucher is a born leader, he is a natural leader. When he speaks you listen because he says the right things at the right time," de Villiers said.

"I told him 'I have never closed that book I always wanted to play'. I had some obstacles to cover in the last 3-4 years from a personal point of view. I always loved playing cricket and always loved hitting the cricket ball. There were a lot of other factors involved with me not contributing to the game as much as I should have,” De Villiers told Boucher.