Delhi: In an astonishing turn of events, star batsman and current South African Test and ODI captain, AB de Villiers has announced that Monday’s match against Sri Lanka will be his last one in South African colours.
It is learnt that a distraught and hapless de Villiers took this dramatic step, following yet another inexplicable South African debacle at a World Championship. He consulted his wife Danielle and parents Millie and Abraham, who were fully supportive of his decision. In fact, only 4 months ago, Millie, while attending de Villiers’ 100th test match in Bangalore had confessed, “Every year he’s here, and he’s becoming one of your guys”. Later, de Villiers confided in his teammates, the South African Board and finally the BCCI. The BCCI, it is learnt, has welcomed de Villiers with open arms. A crowd favourite, owing to his astounding feats in the Indian Premier League, this news is certain to send Indian cricket lovers into raptures.
AB de villiers saying good bye to SA team to be the part of the new champions, i.e., Team India
“I love South Africa– which is why it hurts so much to see them performing in such a manner”, said de Villiers at the end of the team’s practice session. “As much as it is satisfying to score all those breathtakingly brilliant hundreds, it is team success that a sportsman really craves for. The way South Africa are playing, it seems they cannot win a World Championship– not now, not ever. Hence, I have decided to make the shift to the Indian Cricket Team.” When asked why he has chosen India over the other countries, ABD, as he is fondly called by his adoring fans, said, “Once I decided I no longer want to represent South Africa, it really was a no-brainier for me to choose India. I am deeply grateful for all the love and support that the Indian fans have showered upon me over the last decade.”
All of a sudden, the dead rubber between South Africa and Sri Lanka on Monday has assumed great importance. South Africa’s T20 captain Faf du Plessis, who was seen wearing dark glasses all day, told reporters, “It is a moment of crisis in South African cricket. Hash, Dale, I and all the rest of us tried really hard to convince AB otherwise and to give us one more chance. However, he has made his decision and we have to respect that. We will try our best to give AB a fitting farewell in tomorrow’s game.”
Noted cricket expert Sanjay Manjrekar, though, has a slightly different take. “de Villiers was the heart of the South African team. With him no longer there, South African fans will have much lesser expectations from their team. This, in turn, will allow the team to play with much greater freedom in World Championships.”
Meanwhile, this move has sent the South African public into a tizzy. Stung by the outpouring of grief and despair of its public, the South African government summoned the Indian High Commissioner to express its strong displeasure. Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, has gone to the extent of calling it ‘the greatest loot by any country since Britian stole the Koh-i-Noor from India’. The Opposition has held the South African Government responsible and called for Mr. Jacob Zuma’s resignation. Notwithstanding the heavy presence of Indian politicians in the BCCI make-up, the Indian Government has denied any role in this development and has, instead, sought to project it as proof that India is a safe and friendly country for Africans.
ABD’s announcement comes as a shot in the arm for MS Dhoni as well. Dhoni, who was all set to retire at the end of this season, is all but certain to play a lot longer now. Not able to contain his delight, Dhoni said, “Having ABD in the side will allow me to finally bat at the No. 4 slot for India. Let’s face it: Being a finisher in the side is no fun. Even if you hit 20 in 8 balls, it is the top order batsman who has scored the hundred who gets all the accolades. Those few times, when the top order fails and you do get to contribute, you have guys like Ishant Sharma who allow No. 8 batsmen to score sixes and lose a game you’ve very nearly won.”
It is important to remember, however, that current ICC rules stipulate that a cricketer, wishing to represent a Member Country, should not have played for another Member Country in the 4 immediately preceding years. This means that de Villiers cannot represent India before 2020. Already, the ICC is under pressure from the BCCI and the general public to amend this rule. A senior ICC member, who wished to remain anonymous said, “Cricketers like de Villiers pull people to the game. It is certainly not in cricket’s best interests to keep de Villiers out of the international arena for four years.” Keeping in mind the BCCI’s clout within the ICC, it shouldn’t come as a surprise if de Villiers is seen in an India t-shirt sooner than 2020. The man, himself, is unconcerned though. “I will play for Karnataka in the domestic circuit and in T20 leagues all over the world. Even if I get to play international cricket again only after 4 years, I still feel this is my best chance to hold a World Championship trophy before I retire”, says de Villiers.
de Villiers’ decision has also prompted a spurt in the number of domestic Indian bowlers announcing their retirement before the upcoming season. A couple of the Ranji sides have offered to concede their matches against Karnataka. Mumbai, the current Ranji champions, have turned to God – literally. Mumbai’s captain Aditya Tare called Sachin Tendulkar today and asked him to come out of retirement. It is learnt that Tendulkar is seriously contemplating this invite.
If de Villiers does come out in India colours, he will become the 5th South African cricketer and the 25th overall to have represented 2 countries. One thing is for sure though – none of the 24 previous instances has come in such extraordinary circumstances or has generated so much excitement and despair all at once.
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