Uncertainty over future of AB de Villiers' Test career

AB de Villiers has been one of the key performers for the South African side for almost a decade now. The swashbuckling batsman has been equally effective in all formats of the game. However, in the recent times, the batsman has had injury problems. He was sidelined for almost 6 months following an injury he succumbed to during the CPL last year. It was expected that AB de Villiers will make a comeback to the side during the Sri Lanka Test series at home.

That did not happen and now AB is set to return for the ODI series against the Sri Lankans. Amidst all this, there looms a dark cloud of uncertainty over his future in Test cricket. As per the quotes in ESPNcricinfo, South Africa coach Russell Domingo recently said that they need to discuss the future of de Villiers and nobody can take that decision but him.

“We need to sit down with him and plan his future. AB has got to make that decision, I can’t decide on whether he plays or not. When I say that, I mean AB has got to make the decision about whether he is available and the selectors have got to make the decision whether he plays. He has obviously got to make some decision about his future in cricket,” quoted the Proteas coach.

In his absence, Faf du Plessis was named as the captain of the team. Du Plessis has done a wonderful job in AB’s absence and has been on a winning spree. He also opined that things will have to be seen when AB returns to international cricket. On the personal front, he said that he wishes to see AB back in the Test team as well.

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“I’m not sure how AB will feel in terms of Test cricket so we will have to see,” du Plessis said. “We are excited to have him back in the one-day team. I am hoping he decides to play [Tests] for us. He is obviously a world-class batter and I, as a captain, would love to have him as a leader in our team, and obviously as a batter. He is a fantastic player,” mentioned Faf du Plessis.

One of the key things that needs to checked is that who will AB replace in the team that is doing exceedingly well. Even coach Domingo had remarked that “somebody will have to make way”. Du Plessis looks good as captain and the middle order boasts of in-form batsmen like Hashim Amla and JP Duminy.

The only weak link at the moment is Temba Bavuma, who has had a quiet Sri Lanka series. However, with the racial quotas in and the convenor of selectors Linda Zondi confirming that Bavuma will retain his place, there seems to be no place for AB de Villiers.