AB has to step it up with the bat in World T20; India vulnerable in fast bowling: Gibbs

FORMER SOUTH AFRICAN CRICKETER HERSCHELLE GIBBS feels that his countryman AB de Villiers will have to step it up with the bat in the upcoming World T20 in India. While, de Villiers has arguably been the most devastating batsman in ODI and Test cricket, his performance in the T20I hasn’t been very impressive by his own standards. 

The immensely talented South African ODI and Test skipper has also been one of the great entertainers in the IPL and has earned enormous respect from the Indian fans. For the Proteas to win the elusive trophy, De Villiers has to score big and consistently in the tournament. Speaking to DNA, Gibbs said, 

"AB has been most consistent in all formats. He has been fantastic in the IPL, has a great Test and ODI record, but he can improve as he doesn't have a great record in the T20 international for South Africa. I think in this tournament, he would be keen on taking it up.” 

The Indians are currently on a high and are sitting pretty at the top of the ICC World rankings for T20. After the men in blue thrashed the Aussies a few weeks back in the T20 series, many experts around the world have billed the hosts as the strong favourites to win the T20 title. Gibbs too echoed similar thoughts on the 2007 World T20 champs. 

"They have fantastic players and good spinning options. The fast bowling is a worry. Ashish Nehra hasn't really been in the scene and is making a comeback. The only issue is fast bowling. Your (Indian) spinners know the wickets best. They know how to bowl on respective wickets. Ashwin is fantastic for me. He, along with Virat Kohli, are probably two most important people in the team along with captain Dhoni."