AB de Villiers dismisses reports stating that he may skip the IPL 2016

AB de Villiers has dismissed suggestions that he may give the next edition of the IPL a miss claiming that the T20 tournament had played a big part in his career, ESPN Cricinfo reports. The South African Test and ODI skipper also said that it was his focus on winning games for his team that enabled him to score briskly and register knocks such as his 31-ball hundred against West Indies.

Being one of the most liked cricketers around the globe, especially in India, where he has developed an iconic status with his performances in the IPL, De Villiers’ words that he might give the lucrative tournament a miss had come as a shock to many. The South African, who was responding to rumours surrounding his retirement at the time, however, assured his Indian fans that he will definitely take part in IPL 2016.

IPL is an important part of my career: De Villiers

"I'm still going to play in the IPL," De Villiers said ahead of the first ODI against England in Bloemfontein.

"It would be stupid of me to turn my back on that. It's played a big role in my career, in me growing as a player. I see it as a really important part of my career. So I'm not going to let that go.”

With De Villiers captaining the Proteas in both Tests and ODIs at the moment, the 31-year-old hinted that he would be eyeing some of the T20 internationals prior to the 2016 World Twenty20 as a chance to gain some much-needed rest.

“There are some other areas that I'll look at to rest a little bit. I'm very committed at the moment to be captain in the two formats and to play T20s as well. We've got a World Cup coming up, and I'm just taking it one game at a time," he said.

The focus is always on winning games for the team: De Villiers

Known for his ability to score quick hundreds on a consistent basis, De Villiers quipped that he himself got surprised at times with his batting, but added that it was his focus on winning games for his side that enabled him to score runs in a brisk manner.

"I never thought in my wildest dreams that I could score a hundred in 31 balls, or even close to 50. I surprise myself every time I do that. I keep believing I can do stuff like that but the focus is always on winning games for the team," he said.

"That's probably my biggest strength - I focus so much on winning the game that before I realise it I've scored a hundred off close to 30 balls. Things like that are always possible when you aim bigger and have a bigger cause.”