5 ways in which India could counter the AB de Villiers phenomenon

5 ways in which India could counter the AB de Villiers phenomenon: He scores runs all round the world and to every corner of the field. He is not afraid to dance down the track to express pacers or reverse sweep them for a six. You can’t beat him in the excellent use of the feet. He is a fantastic fielder and a mighty fine wicket keeper. And yet he is human. Scientists are struggling to find chinks in his armour and therefore you can forgive bowlers for not being able to do the same.

India is set to face the Proteas in a T20I series which would be followed by a 5 match ODI affair. And there are only two points on the Indian team’s agenda – first how to plan the visitors’ downfall and the second how to prevent AB de Villiers from shattering all those fantasies. Such is the impact of the right-handed wonder, that if India do not have specific strategies, they will surely know what not to do when bowling to AB at the end of the series.

The tussle between him and the Indian pacers is going to play a major part in deciding the outcome of both the limited over contests. And in the ODIs India will also have to deal with his shrewd leadership skills. All said the think tank will have to devise a method to tackle the De Villers magic. Here is how they can do it:

5 ways in which India could counter the AB de Villiers phenomenon:

1. Do not pre-empt or anticipate too much:

All AB will be expecting is for the Indian bowlers to bowl six different deliveries to him which would allow him to display his complete range. The strategy of variations could work for those who are predominantly strong on only one side of the wicket but we all know AB is not that bloke. Thus the best way to deal with De Villiers is to not try and demystify his unrelenting trickery and instead nullify it with the unglamorous trait of discipline. That would translate to bowling immaculate and persevering spells which would instigate a poor shot. Concentrating on their natural routines rather than being sucked into a game of cat and mouse with the right-handed genius could be the success mantra.