New Delhi: AB de Villiers has decided to step down as South Africa ODI captain with immediate effect.
De Villiers released a video on his official twitter account to confirm the developments.
But what comes as a great relief for South African cricket is the fact that De Villiers has made it clear that he will be available for selection in all formats of the game, thereby putting an end to speculations about his retirement from Test match cricket.
De Villiers will be available for selection from October, possibly from the Bangladesh series itself.
“Following the break I am revived and fresh. I want to assure the national selectors that I’m available for selection in all forms of the game from mid-October,” said de Villiers in his video.
De Villiers last played a Test match for South Africa in January 2016 and his long absence from Test cricket gave rise to speculations about his career in the longest format.
“There were lot of things written and said about me including that I have started to put myself ahead of the team… That is not true, playing for South Africa has been a matter of pride and it will remain the same way,” said De Villiers.
De Villiers cited work load and personal commitments as the reasons for his decision to step down as ODI captain and also stated that Test and T20I captain Faf du Plessis is ready to take up the new role.
“Faf du Plesiss has proven to be an outstanding Test and T20I captain, baring this in mind I have informed Cricket South Africa about that I would like to step down as ODI captain,” added De Villiers.
De Villiers was appointed as the ODI captain in 2012 and has since then led the South Africa in 103 ODIs.
With De Villiers stepping down it is only a matter of time that Test and T20I in captain Faf du Plessis will take over the ODI reins also.
AB had not been in the best of forms by his own standards in the last few matches. His highest score in the last 10 matches is 65.
South Africa were knocked out of the group stages in the Champions Trophy under AB’s captaincy.