It will be disrespectful to say I am the best player in the world: AB de Villiers

Over the last few years, the debate on who is the best batsman in modern day cricket has been springing up every now and then. Everyone seems to have different opinions and reasons for their call. Particularly Virat Kohli, Joe Root, AB de Villiers and Steve Smith have been the strongest contenders for the title. Especially the advent of Twenty20 (T20) cricket has further complicated the discussion.

However, amidst all the talks, South Africa’s star player and captain AB de Villiers has given his views on the same. Many regard the 33-year-old as the best batsman in world cricket currently. Noted as one of the most innovative batsmen in modern game he also holds many records including world’s fastest 50, 100 and 150 in One Day International (ODI) cricket, the fastest Test century by a South African and the fastest T20I 50 by a South African.

His views on the best batsman debate:

The 33-year-old right-handed batsman has counted himself out of the race stating that he is not the best. In a recent interview given to Forbes India, De Villiers said,”That’s probably my biggest strength (winning games for the team). I don’t think everyone has those skills. But I won’t say I am the best player in the world.”

He further added, “That it will be disrespectful to players who are in amazing form like a David Warner or Virat Kohli, Joe Root (of England) who’s not even at the IPL, Ben Stokes – who scored a fabulous hundred (for Rising Pune Supergiant). There are so many good players…it will be disrespectful to say I am the best player in the world. But I do have certain skills that others don’t and others have certain skills that I don’t.”

De Villiers who plays for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the lucrative Indian Premier League (IPL) has returned home. He is now concentrating on the ICC Champions Trophy which is scheduled to be played in England next month.

RCB had a poor season this time around as they finished at the bottom of the table with just 7 points from 14 games. De Villiers managed to fetch 216 runs from 9 games at an average of 27 which is pretty less considering his standards.