By CricketCountry Staff
Royal Challengers Bangalore must win the Champions League Twenty20 tournament to keep away the sense of depression among the players, as the T20 side has not won any major tournament despite playing good cricket, says AB de Villiers.
Published: Sep 22, 2011, 04:09 PM (IST)
Edited: Sep 22, 2011, 04:09 PM (IST)
AB de Villiers said he has fully recovered from the back injury he suffered in the 2011 World Cup © Getty Images
By CricketCountry Staff
Bengaluru: Sep 22, 2011
Royal Challengers Bangalore must win the Champions League Twenty20 tournament to keep away the sense of depression among the players, as the T20 side has not won any major tournament despite playing good cricket, says AB de Villiers.
“I hope we win it; would be nice to get a trophy in the cabinet for the boys. We’ve played some good cricket in the past; we’re a good team. It very important. Obviously it’s a high profile tournament with big names. It’s probably bigger than IPL with new clubs coming in. It’s almost like the Champions League football that you see,” de Villiers was quoted by DNA.
The South African wicket-keeper batsman, who was also appointed the skipper of the country’s ODI and T20 side, last played competitive cricket in the World Cup in February-March, and has been out of action since then.
However, de Villiers says that his preparation for the tournament is good. “I’m okay doing both (batting and wicket keeping). Both are very similar, if I’m fielding, I have to dive, if I’m keeping, I have to bend down. My back is feeling good at the moment. I don’t have an issue right now. I really don’t mind which one I do as long as it’s looked after and managed well,” he said.
“Personally, I am looking forward to this tournament. I have been training quite hard in the last few months and feeling fresh and strong. It’s perfect place to start my season in India with competitive cricket and also with a nice consistent squad,” he added.
“Yeah, I think it opens up a few options for the team. And at the end of the day, I have to see what’s best for the tournament and that makes my role nice.”
Talking about the Warriors – the T20 side from South Africa to compete in CLT20 – de Villiers says that he will pass on some key information to the Bangalore side.
“Obviously I have got some information on the guys (Warrior players), but at the end of the day you have to go out there and hit the ball irrespective of the players. No matter how well you know him, he gets you out and you are out. I know some of the guys and I can give some inputs to the other team members. But at the end of the day, we have to play good cricket to win the games and that is what it boils down to,” he said.
