India and Australia are favourites to win CT, says AB de Villiers

South Africa have always had the best team on paper in almost every ICC event in the last decade or so. But they never quite managed to perform at par with the expectations at the big stage. Despite being a great team, they have not won a single World Cup or World T20 title. Their success at an ICC event was winning the first edition of ICC Champions Trophy, way back in 1998. Back then it was known as ICC KnockOut Tournament.

They are currently holding the pole position in the ODI Team Rankings. Regarded as one of the favourites going into the tournament, skipper AB de Villiers feels South Africa has the side that can go to win the 8-team elite tournament. De Villiers is going through a bad phase recently as he was unable to impress the spectators in the tenth edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). But Mr. 360° feels he is hitting the ball well enough and there is no reason to worry about.

AB desperate to break the jinx

South Africa have got themselves the tag of ‘chokers’ for not being able to perform on the big stage. But their star-skipper is desperate to crush the tag. “I haven’t won one of these trophies in my career, so I’m pretty desperate to win one, and we’ll do anything we can to get out on top,” said AB while speaking to www.ecb.co.uk.

“We know these tournaments are very competitive – there are eight teams that want to win it and can win it. But we do think we’ve got a very good squad here. I’ve got a good feeling about this one,” he further added.

Before going into the tournament, the Proteas will play three ODIs against host nation England starting at Headingley next Wednesday. “It’s a very nice way for us to warm up and get ready for a big one-day tournament. But first things first, we want to win the series against England, a team that’s been playing very good one-day cricket in their own country. They’ve done really well to come back from the 2015 World Cup. They’re obviously a very talented bunch, and they’ve earned a lot of respect,” de Villiers said.

AB picks his favourites

When asked about which team he feels can win the tournament, he replied: “They will be one of the favourites for the Champions Trophy definitely, but quite a few teams stand out – India won the last Champions Trophy, and the Aussies are always a team to look out for.”

AB does not feel he is going through a bad phase. When asked about his poor run of form at the Indian cricketing extravaganza, he retorted, “I started the IPL very well and felt in good touch throughout the tournament, but we never got going as a team as a whole. It was a poor IPL for us, but that’s long gone now. I’m very excited to be back with the South Africa team. I had a good net session this morning – I faced Imran Tahir, and he’s certainly stepped up his game a bit.”

Proteas’ skipper felt he is completely ready for the tournament and is raring to clinch what would be South Africa’s 2nd ICC Champions Trophy. He said, “I’m feeling fresh, feeling 100%, and looking forward to playing this series and then the tournament.”

South Africa is placed in Group B alongside defending champions India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan. They will begin their campaign against Sri Lanka on 3rd June at The Oval, London. They are the best ODI team at the moment according to the rankings. It is now up to the players to play to their reputation.