Requested de Villiers to play only in ODIs till 2019 World Cup: Ottis Gibson

AB de Villiers surprised the cricketing world last Wednesday when he announced his decision to retire from all forms of the game after his 2018 IPL stint with Royal Challengers Bangalore got over. South Africa head coach Ottis Gibson on Monday stated that he tried to get AB de Villiers to consider playing only One-Day International cricket until next year’s World Cup when AB informed him that he was retiring from professional cricket.

However, all the indications that de Villiers giving it is highly unlike that the South-African would turn up his decision to revive cricket once again. Recalling his retirement saga Gibson opined that the sudden decision shocked him more than anybody else. 

“The announcement came as a shock to me. He called me the morning before he made the announcement to tell me what he was planning to do. We had a long conversation around, ‘Are you sure you are doing the right thing?’ He reckons that he is. He has spoken with the people who are close to him and he reckons he is tired,” revealed Ottis Gibson, as reported by Wisden India.

Gibson answered on a positive note when asked whether he had asked de Villiers to reconsider his decision.

“We saw him in the IPL taking Spiderman catches and looking like he is enjoying his cricket. That’s why I said it was a shock. I did sort of say, What about giving away Test cricket and still playing one-day cricket with the World Cup coming up? and he said he spoke about it with all the people he needed to speak to and that is the decision he has come to. Once he has made that decision, there is no point in me trying to get him to change his mind. He wouldn’t have made the decision lightly,” he added.

Gibson hinted that South Africa would have to change their game plans ahead of the World Cup which is exactly 12 months away and the unfortunate decision of a vital batsman of the squad is a major blow ahead of their campaign.

“We’ll have to alter our plans obviously but it gives us enough time to do that. He is one of the best players in the world. He could have made a huge difference in the World Cup and he knows that. He’s chosen to walk away from the game at this time and it is what it is. Yes, it’s disappointing for the country and for world cricket. But it gives an opportunity for somebody to put their hand up.”