Proteas T20 captain JP Duminy wants AB de Villiers to fire on all cylinders

After ending up on the receiving end of the ODI series which India won 5-1, the Proteas will be looking to change their fortunes in the upcoming T20 series. Captain in the shortest format of the game, JP Duminy expects AB de Villiers to be a regular starter in the upcoming series against India and come out all guns blazing in the series that commences on February 18, Sunday at the Wanderers.

Despite being the key player in the Test series, de Villiers struggled for form in the ODI series, which saw him score 26, 6 and 30. Getting some runs under his belt will be a boost of confidence ahead of the all-important Test series against Australia.

It’s crucial that the 33-year-old fires ‘on all cylinders’ against the Australians, and the T20 series against India will be the perfect platform for ABD to regain his form. With three potential debutants in Christiaan Jonker, Junior Dala and Heinrich Klaasen in the squad, it is likely that those who will be in the Test squad for the Australia series will be rested – but not de Villiers.

Duminy confirmed that rotation will be implemented, but that they needed de Villiers to win the T20 series.

“He [De Villiers] is there to start. He’s in the squad and is obviously a key player for us. We’re going to need him to fire on all cylinders,” said Duminy on Saturday in the pre-match press interaction.

“The standard that he sets for himself is a high one on a whole. He prides himself on his performances and he will no doubt be hungry to put in a big performance for the team. So I expect nothing less from him, as much as he expects nothing less from himself. I’m looking forward to what he can produce,” he stated.