AB de Villiers opens up about World Cup loss

De Villiers is not upset about the World Cup loss

South Africa one-day international captain AB de Villiers wants to remember the recently concluded World Cup for better reasons where his team got knocked out in a last ball thriller in the semi-finals by the one-off hosts New Zealand.

“I don’t mind going back to the World Cup,” De Villiers told ICC website. “There were some sad moments, but we had a great vibe. We didn’t choke. We played some great cricket and gave it our best shot. We had our opportunities in the semifinal, unfortunately, we didn’t take them. That’s the game of cricket. You win some, you lose some. We have to give credit to New Zealand for playing the better game on the day.”

Talking about his brilliant swashbuckling knock against the West Indies in the same tournament where he smashed the ball all around the ground to score 162 off just 66 balls, De Villiers said it wasn't easy as it looked from outside.

“That knock was bit of a blur,” De Villiers said. “It was a crazy day. I still don’t know what exactly happened, but it was an enjoyable moment. I’ve felt just as good, or even better, in some other matches where I haven’t scored as many runs. Those matches are just as special to me. I’m not someone who feels too proud of records. Maybe I will look back with pride one day after I retire.

“I like to keep my feet on the ground. I never look ahead and feel that I’m going to be great. I’m nervous every single innings and work very hard. It never comes easy even though it might look like it sometimes. There is always a bit of grinding in there. I don’t think players will look at me as a superhuman, I’ve mingled with them in the Indian Premier League and I’m a very gentle person.”

De Villiers will be in action in the upcoming series against India where we can definitely expect a lot similar knock in the subcontinent. He has a good knowledge about the pitches and grounds in India because of the Indian Premier League and maybe that’ll prove as a plus point for him.

The series will comprise of three Twenty20s, five one-day internationals and four Test matches. The South African team will be looking to seek revenge for their loss against the same opposition earlier at the MCG in a World Cup group game.