Debasis Sen, Johannesburg: Faf du Plessis led South African cricket team beat World No.1 India on Wednesday and took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match Test series at the Super Sport Park in Centurion. Their star batsman AB de Villiers feels that it would be great if they can complete a whitewash against the India at Johannesburg.
“It would be great, India have really impressed me and surprised us in terms of the bowling department so they have showed lot more skill and definitely there is lot more pace than we expected. So we know we are going to have to be watchful in that last test as they will come out fighting and wanting to finish well in the test series and wanting to take that confidence into the ODIs but obviously we would love to beat them 3-0. But you are never guaranteed of a result. We know we are going to have to dig deep again and make sure that like in the last two tests we adapt to the conditions and put in our best type of cricket in the conditions,” said AB de Villiers while talking to the media today.
AB de Villiers made a come back in the Test arena just ahead of India series against Zimbabwe. He played two crucial knocks in both the matches which helped the Proteas to win. On being asked whether he has made a full fledged return to the Test arena, Mr. 360* said,”Yeah test cricket is the ultimate challenge, it was very enjoyable to be a part of a really important and good series win, I think it was a great team effort from everyone, from the fielding to the bowlers with big pressure moments with the bat in hand, just an all round really good team performance. I am obviously enjoying my cricket and loving it out there with the boys. And it has been a great couple of test matches.”
Virat and AB both played good knocks at Centurion in the second Test. But he lauded the performance of his of his fellow team mates and looked very happy as the home side adopted the conditions well in the Centurion Test.
“I think quite a few guys contributed. Faf almost got a fifty, Dean Elgar played a very good hand, quite a few guys played big hands. Virat’s knock in the first innings was very very good. I did congratulate him. Looking forward to the Wanderer’s test with more bounce and pace compared to the centurion wicket. But yeah all out it was a really good Test and we adapted well to the conditions and did what we needed to do,” said AB.
According to ABD he has no problems in playing all three formats of the game and he didn’t force himself to play in the manner at Cape Town and Centurion as he played his natural game.
“I watch the ball and I just play, I have always said that I don’t feel there’s a big difference between the three formats. It is just a mindset applying yourself to the wicket and conditions and that’s always been the way that I have played. So no definitely not its something that I force,” said ABD.
The star batsman also confirmed that he was feeling as fit as he had ever been in the 13-year prolonged career.
“It feels like my debut back in 2004 when I started as an opening batsman then a keeper at no.7 and back to opening, and up and down,” he said. “It’s funny with my comeback now similar to back in the day. But it has been very enjoyable, I feel very fresh, and I have said it on numerous occasions in the last few months that I just feel like just getting out there and playing, and that’s what a good break does to you.
“I am feeling in a good space and the energy is good and my body is feeling right at the moment. I do have niggles but that is part of Test cricket. You never get up feeling a hundred percent. The back is still there, the ankles and knees, everything is hurting at times but to be playing the ultimate form of the game again, it has been a great challenge.”
Indian Premier League franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore have retained both Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers for the forthcoming season. AB is eager to play IPL again and will talk to Kohli about this after the series ends.
“Yeah we would love to go out there and win. We will definitely get together after this test series is over. No matter who we play we like to meet up with the opposition teams and the Indians will definitely come to our change rooms afte the test match and then there will be the opportunity to talk about whatever. It will be great for RCB to win the IPL this year but there are quite a few months to go for us to get there. My mind is not there exactly yet but once I go there we will make a plan to win that trophy,” added de Villiers.