If you are to name the most entertaining cricketer of the modern era, the first name that’ll pop up to your mind will be that of South African cricketer Abraham Benjamin De Villiers. Over the years the amount of match-winning performances that he has produced is quite unmatchable. Known by the nickname of Mr.360, he has inspired millions of children around the world to take up cricket. In his latest Interview, ABD revealed the one remarkable incident from the 1992 World Cup that made him chose the gentleman’s game as his profession.
The 1992 World Cup was famous for way too many reasons. Starting from the coloured Retro jerseys to Imran Khan’s heroics, the World Cup produced some incredible moments. But one image from that World Cup that was forever talked about was the iconic image of Jonty Rhodes running out Inzamam Ul Haq in the group-stage encounter against Pakistan in Brisbane.
This visual is still used by coaches in cricket coaching academies to highlight the highest standards of fielding. But little did we know back then that this site of Jonty Rhodes dislodging all the three stumps while being suspended in the air would inspire one of the greatest cricketers to come in the form of AB de Villiers.
In his latest interview, he revealed that as an 8-year-old he always used to practice the run-out without caring for possible injuries to master it. He added that he regrets not pulling off the same kind of run-out even for once during his prolonged international career.
“Jonty Rhodes was the standout. Once again, from a young age, he had the biggest impact. When I was 8 years old, I saw the run out live in the World Cup 1992. That had a huge impact on me,” AB de Villiers told BBC London’s Kevin Hand for Middlesex cricket.
“I practiced that run out every day of my life. I had grass all over, blood but I had to practice that run out. I never had the opportunity to do that run out in my career. But it still inspired me so much to do special things on the field, to take catches for the team. That’s the way Jonty played. That’s the way I always wanted,” he added.
Cricketers who will be the most Expensive Buys in Women’s IPL
De Villiers said that he was literally awestruck when he met Jonty Rhodes for the first time. He added that they, later on, became good friends and mentioned that Jonty was quite an easy-going person.
“We became friends. It was a huge dream-come-true for me to just meet him. And then a year or two later, he was the fielding coach in the Proteas side. It was a bit of a blur because it was a dream-come-true to have him around.”
Recently Jonty Rhodes also heaped huge praise on AB de Villiers by stating that the former South African captain is one of the best fielders of the current generation.
Ravindra Jadeja best Indian spinner: Former India spinner
For more cricket news, click here.