37-year-old AB de Villiers retired from international cricket in 2018 but said in April last year he would consider a comeback at the T20 World Cup if it had been delayed by a year to 2021 thanks to the Covid-19 pandemic
South African batsman AB de Villiers said he's hospitable a return to international cricket at this year's Twenty20 World Cup in India and can discuss his future with national coach Mark Boucher during the Indian Premier League (IPL).
The 37-year-old retired from international cricket in 2018 but said in April last year he would consider a comeback at the T20 World Cup if it had been delayed by a year to 2021 thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"We're lined up to possess a talk sometime during the IPL. But yes, we've been talking about it already," De Villiers told reporters after scoring 76 for Royal Challengers Bangalore in Sunday's 38-run convert Kolkata Knight Riders.
"Last year, he (Boucher) asked me if i might have an interest . I said, 'absolutely'. and are available the top of the IPL, we'll have a glance at where we're at with regards to my form and my fitness.
"Also, things together with his team -- he's need to check out his guys who are performing well ... If there is no space on behalf of me so be it. If I can squeeze there, it'll be fantastic if all those things fall in situ ."
De Villiers has played 78 T20 games for South Africa scoring 1,672 runs at a mean of 26.12 and strike rate of 135.16.
South African batsman AB de Villiers has once more reiterated his desire to play the T20 World Cup later this year in India. De Villiers has been in outstanding form within the ongoing edition of the Indian Premier League playing a serious role in Royal Challengers Bangalore occupying the highest spot which has reignited talks of a possible return to international cricket.
On Sunday (April 18), the 37-year-old was once more impressive in his role as RCB's No.5 as he thumped an unbeaten 76 off just 34 balls to propel them to an enormous win. Post the sport , de Villiers confirmed that he are going to be holding discussions with former teammate and current national head coach Mark Boucher on his comeback.
"I haven't had a discussion with Bouchy (Mark Boucher) yet. We are lined up to possess a talk somewhere during the IPL but yes we've been talking about it," de Villiers said. "Last year, he asked me if i might have an interest . and that i said, 'absolutely'. and are available the top of the IPL, we'll have a glance at where we are at with regards to my form and my fitness.
"Also, things together with his team - he's need to check out his guys who are performing overflow the last while," he noted. "If there is no space on behalf of me , so be it. If I can squeeze there, it'll be fantastic if all those things fall in situ . expecting Bouchy towards the top of the IPL, and that we will then plan accordingly."
Following his retirement in 2018, de Villiers did make a last-minute plan to feature within the ODI World Cup in England. However, the team management and selectors agreed in unison that it had been too late to accommodate the batsman within the 15-member squad. During the continued series T20I series between South Africa and Pakistan, Boucher confirmed that he had a word with the veteran before he departed for the IPL.
"The conversation remains very open," Boucher had said. "AB being the person he's , he wanted to perform alright at the IPL to convince himself and everybody else that he's still a key figure in world cricket and may dominate at that level. I said to him, 'You go do your thing and I'll offer you a shout towards the top of the IPL and see where you're .'"
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