NEW DELHI: South African cricket legend
AB De Villiers
has showered praise on Australian batter
David Warner
, lauding his fighting spirit and resilience in the wake of Warner's recent Test retirement.
De Villiers reminisced about their time together at Delhi Daredevils in the early stages of their Indian Premier League (IPL) careers, highlighting Warner's phenomenal skills and ability to overcome challenges.
"I had played with David Warner at the Delhi Daredevils. He was a fantastic player right from the word go and he has put up his hand for one of the best all-round cricketers of all time. Went through a lot of controversies as well but always found a way to come back. He is a huge fighter," De Villiers shared on his YouTube channel.
De Villiers expressed admiration for Warner's commitment to make himself available for the 2025 Champions Trophy despite formally retiring from One-Day Internationals (ODIs). The 37-year-old Australian had asserted his willingness to step up for Australia if needed, a sentiment De Villiers resonated with based on his own experiences.
The former South African right-hand batter also took a subtle jab at the
South African cricket setup
, reflecting on his unfulfilled desire to represent the national team in the
T20 World Cup
and the 2019 ODI World Cup.
"I am incredibly grateful to have played all formats for my country. Then I did exactly what David Warner did. I had a family back home so I didn't want to tour anymore. I wanted to play in the T20 World Cup, which was frowned upon but now everybody is doing it. I wish I played another World Cup for South Africa. I wish I could say just like Warner that if you need me, I am available," De Villiers commented.
Warner, who announced his retirement from ODIs before his final Test match, has left the door open for a potential comeback, with the 2025 Champions Trophy being a possible stage for his return to limited-overs cricket. The 37-year-old's decision implies that his triumph in the ODI World Cup will stand as his final appearance in the 50-over format, barring any unforeseen comeback.
(With inputs from ANI)
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