Mark Boucher hints AB de Villiers' international comeback talks are still on

There has been some mystery going on around AB de Villiers’ comeback at the international level. For some months in the build-up to the ICC T20 World Cup 2020, there were talks that the former South African cricketer will come out of retirement and will feature for his national team once again. However, the tournament was postponed and the talks went away with time. 

Now, South Africa head coach Mark Boucher has revealed that the discussion to bring back AB de Villiers into international cricket is not completely over. He went to reveal that he had a talk with ABD before he left for the Indian Premier League. The right-handed batsman is currently playing for the Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL 2021. 

Boucher further noted that the South African batsman is very much keen to prove himself at the IPL. De Villiers started the season with wonderful innings against Mumbai Indians in the opening match of the season. He scored 48 runs from 27 balls, showing all his class during a thriller. 

Mark Boucher to have a talk with AB de Villiers towards the back-end of the IPL

“I did chat to him before he went to the IPL. The conversation is still very much open. AB, being the person he is, wants to perform very well at the IPL to prove to himself and everyone else that he is still a very key figure in world cricket and could dominate at that level,” said Boucher as quoted by iol.ca.za

Boucher also added that he said to ABD that he will have a talk with him towards the back end of the IPL. “I said to him: ‘Go do your thing, and I’ll give you a shout towards the back-end of the IPL.’ So that is where we are with him,” added Boucher.

South Africa is currently playing a four-match T20I series against Pakistan at home. The visitors are without their best players, who have reached India and are playing in the IPL. The list of players having left for the IPL includes Quinton de Kock, Kagiso Rabada, Anrich Nortje, Faf du Plessis, David Miller, and Lungi Ngidi. They are also trailing in the series by 1-2. 

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