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Rediff.com  » Cricket » Why India needs to be wary of South Africa in upcoming the World T20...

Why India needs to be wary of South Africa in upcoming the World T20...

Last updated on: February 22, 2016 16:00 IST
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'Unsatisfied' De Villiers keen to improve T20 record

AB de Villiers

IMAGE: South Africa's AB de Villiers looks on during nets session. Photograph: Julian Finney/Getty Images

Twenty20 series wins over Australia and Sri Lanka have given top-ranked India plenty of cause for optimism as they launch their bid for a second world title in the sport's shortest format on home soil next month.

Champions in the inaugural edition of the World Twenty20 in 2007, India blanked hosts Australia 3-0 at the start of the year before returning home to rally for a 2-1 win over Sri Lanka.

On the other hand, South Africa's swashbuckling batsman AB de Villiers has admitted that he is not satisfied with his current T20 record despite playing a major role in his side's two-match series win against England.

It sends out a warning signal to the hosts.

De Villiers smashed a brutal knock of 71 off just 29 balls to help South Africa claim a nine-wicket win in the second and the final match at the Wanderers.

The 32-year-old, who wanted to work on his T20 internationals runs, believes that his performance against England was the first step in the right direction.

De Villiers insisted that opening the batting had provided him with a great chance to improve on his T20 record, adding that he wanted to continue to do the same for a long period of time.

Although he smashed six fours and six sixes in his match-winning knock, he still believes that as a top-order batsman he should have scored more.

The opener has made 65 T20 appearances for the Proteas, but has an average of just 23.49.

South Africa will now head into the three-match series against Australia at home, starting in Durban from March 4. 

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