Former South African superstar AB de Villiers A brutally honest act. IPL batting comparisons, openly expressing his dismay at how statistics are used, particularly when comparing middle-order players to openers.
“It annoys the living daylights out of me”
Speaking on the Mbangwa Media YouTube channel, de Villiers did not shy away from drawing comparisons with the IPL’s highest run-scorers:“So I hate it when they compare my runs in the IPL to other players, because that’s who I am, but I haven’t faced as many balls as openers. It annoys the living daylights out of me.”“This guy scored 8000 runs, he’s the best player ever. I’m like, no, I’m better than he’s faced more balls. Don’t do it.” He added.
“It’s the easiest thing in the world”
The former RCB legend took aim at exploiting openers in T20 cricket: “And then on top of that, they’re all openers and they only get two guys out with those restrictions, and it’s like, it’s the easiest thing in the world, especially in India. It’s ridiculous, man, you can’t play cricket like that.”
“Don’t compare my stats to openers”
De Villiers questioned the fairness of comparing players across all batting positions: “But don’t compare my stats now because I know that with everyone else. They’re all openers, top run-scorers, they’ve got orange caps. Do you know why that bothers me?” De Villiers saidHe even suggested tweaking the fielding restrictions in the Powerplay:“At least, well, with a new ball, when the ball is pinging and flying, at least in the first six overs your fielding restrictions should be lifted, T20 short boundaries in India, great wickets. The advantage is that the new ball is already there. It’s flying. It’s already very easy. Just don’t get two fielders out.”
“Unfair to the bowlers”
The Proteas legend highlighted how bowlers are often at a disadvantage: “But I think it’s a bit unfair to the bowlers in the first six overs in the IPL.De Villiers pointed out how ill-timed shots can also bring boundaries: “Often, they play a bad stroke and take revenge, your cut ball that you didn’t hit in the area you wanted… and you still get a four.”Using Travis Head as an example, he said: “It’s like Travis Head now, it’s flying all over the place. Four inside the edge, four outside the edge. Good shot, six, great, but it’s one of three.”“What’s that? 33% strike and you’re at 15 off four balls.” He added.
“I’m embarrassed”
De Villiers revealed his mindset while scoring a lucky boundary: “Honestly, when I score four runs on the inside edge I feel embarrassed, I even apologize to the bowlers sometimes, I swear because I think it’s not right, now these openers, they run all over the place. The new ball is flying. It bothers me.”“Why do you think some captains, late in their careers, promote themselves to open batting in T20 cricket?”
“give me a chance”
De Villiers concluded with a pointed comment about his batting position: “At the back end of my career I was dropped for five. I’m like, what have you got? Because I’m a good finisher? No, give me a chance with the new ball in front.”
AB de Villiers in IPL
AB de Villiers enjoyed a brilliant IPL career, scoring 5162 runs in 184 matches at an impressive average of 39.70 and a strike rate of 151.68, including 3 centuries and 40 fifties, with a highest score of 133*. What makes his numbers even more special is the context, unlike most run-scorers, de Villiers primarily batted in the middle order, often at Nos. 3 to 5, and still managed to dominate the attack with 251 sixes and over 400 fours.
