Mr 360 degree of cricket, Abraham Benjamin de Villiers stepped down from South African captaincy on August 23. After 6 years serving the Proteas team, AB thinks the responsibility should be carried forward by someone else. Earlier in the month of January, he announced that he would be a taking a break from Test format in order to shift his focus entirely on ODIs and T20s. He has also not appeared in the long format of the game since January last year as he struggled with injury for the past 18 months. Now he is back in all the three formats but not be leading the team in ODIs.
He reached out to his fans on Twitter with this message. He shared a video on his official twitter account where he thanked them for their endless support. He said,”I have informed Cricket South Africa that I would like to step down as captain of the ODI team. It has been an honour to lead the team for the past six years, but it is now time for someone else to take the ODI side forward. Whoever is chosen as the new ODI captain will have my complete support.”
Looking forward to a great summer #ProteaFire pic.twitter.com/yojybIrvjZ
— AB de Villiers (@ABdeVilliers17) August 23, 2017
He also took a moment to slam those who criticised him for being away from the Test format. He said,”A lot has been said and written over the past 12 months, and I feel it is time to make my position absolutely clear. Over the past year or so, I have tried to manage many commitments. I have felt mentally and physically tired; my wife and I are bringing up two fantastic kids and playing in all three formats ever since 2004 has taken its toll. Together with Cricket South Africa, we have tried to develop a viable schedule which allows me to prolong my career for as long as possible.”
“This strategy has prompted some people to say I am picking and choosing when to play for the Proteas, and even to suggest I am somehow putting myself before the team. That is simply not true. That has never been true. Playing for South Africa is, and will always be, the greatest privilege of my life,” he added.
(With inputs from ANI)
