Former South Africa player AB de Villiers recently shared his views on Indian players’ participation in first-class cricket after the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. The veteran also opined that the players shouldn’t be taking decisions regarding their participation in domestic tournaments as well.
He told reporters in Sydney (via Hindustan Times): “I would always like everyone to play domestic cricket. That is how much importance domestic cricket needs to be given. Not only one game, if they are available and they have the commitment to play red-ball cricket, everyone should play domestic cricket. As simple as it can get. If you don’t give importance to domestic cricket, you will never get the desired players that you want in Test cricket,” Gambhir added.
“The players in my opinion need guidance and they shouldn’t be the ones to make the decisions. If you have niggle, go through assessments, rehab, and get back and take rest. But other than that, I feel the coach and whoever makes the decisions for Indian cricket or the other boards around the world should guide the players. Look at the workloads, understand the form the guys are in, and look at the schedules. Is it important for this guy to play four-day cricket leading up to a big series or is it not? And make the decision on behalf of the players,” he further added.
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“I feel the players shouldn’t have too much power to such an extent that they make their decisions with regards to where they play and where they don’t. They are contracted by the board and should take guidance from above. That is my humble opinion. That’s the way it worked for me right throughout my career,” he again shared.
However, AB de Villiers further stated that the example of Cricket South Africa (CSA) with Team India, especially with BCCI, head coach Gautam Gambhir and the selection committee as well.
“All I can give it you guys is that what happened to us back in the day. We were forced sometimes to play domestic cricket, four-day games that is, preparing for certain Test matches. We were also sometimes forced to rest. So, what I like for Indian cricket moving forward is for the administration or the coaches or the top dogs whatever you wanna call to take ownership of the decisions. And I also had the door open to be honest with the coach and say, “Coach, I know my workload looks like it’s fine but I am mentally incredibly tired, please give me a week off. I need to spend time with the family.’ He would say, ‘AB, thanks for your honesty, take a week off and come back stronger. No problem,’” AB de Villiers concluded.
