Former South Africa opener Herschelle Gibbs says anyone can win as it is open tournament
Current South African ODI and Test captain AB de Villiers and his former teammate Herschelle Gibbs have one thing in common – go after bowlers from ball one.
While de Villiers has won the hearts of people the world over with his batting style in all formats including the IPL, Gibbs felt that the batting sensation has more to prove for South Africa in T20 internationals.
The 41-year-old Gibbs believed that the World Twenty20 in India would be the right platform for de Villiers to help his team win. "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," Gibbs told dna in an interview from UAE on Friday.
The 90-Test veteran, who is playing for Leo Lions in Masters Champions League T20, said that everybody has a chance to win the World T20. "I think it's wide open. These are small grounds which makes it a possibility that anybody can win. There is India, who will be favourites playing in their own backyard, England, Australia, West Indies and South Africa too," he said.
"T20s are unpredictable. One play or one ball can turn the game. Everybody has played T20 including the IPL which makes a lot of difference. England too have a good chance they have a lot of players in the IPL, they have the firepower to win the tournament. They are a good all-round team," he added.
The South African team has often been referred to as chokers for failing to win a single world title by bowing out of the tournament at very crucial stages. Gibbs felt that it was unfair to tag them in this manner.
"I think chokers will be on for until they win something like that (World Cup). Spectators can say whatever they want. New Zealand has reached a lot of semifinals more than South Africa, still they are not called chokers. We have reached three semifinals. That is a little bit unfair on South Africa," he said.
As far as India are concerned, Gibbs felt that MS Dhoni's team has an issue in fast bowling despite being favourites. "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," Gibbs said.
The right-handed batsman said spinners will be important in India. "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," he said.
Gibbs's last stint at competitive cricket before the ongoing MCLT20 was in 2013 when he played for St Lucia Zouks in the Caribbean Premier League.
"It is great to be back playing alongside guys you have played with before. It has been fun and a great opportunity to mix with the old lads," the 41-year-old told dna in an interaction.
The Cape Town-born batsman defended his failures. "You wouldn't expect guys not play for the last couple of years to do well. Logically the players who have been playing are doing well. The next time I am back I will be better prepared," said Gibbs.
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