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South Africa Head Coach Mark Boucher believes A B de Villiers has his reasons to decide against coming out of international retirement and represent the national team in this year's ICC World T20 despite being in good form.
Cricket South Africa on Tuesday announced that de Villiers has decided not to come out of international retirement, saying that his mind won't change 'once and for all'.
Boucher said de Villiers doesn't want to snatch the place of a player who has been in the mix for a while.
'AB has his reasons, which I respect. Unfortunately he's no longer in the mix. I say unfortunately because I think we all agree that he's still one of the best -- if not the best -- T20 players in world cricket,' Boucher was quoted as saying by The Citizen Web site.
'But he alluded to being concerned about coming in ahead of other players who have been a part of the system. I don't think it sat well with him, which I understand,' Boucher, who has been de Villiers' team-mate, said.
'As a coach I needed to try and get our best players, for the team and the environment. AB is an energy-booster in any environment, but I respect his reasoning. It was worth a go, but now let's move forward.'
In May 2018, de Villiers, who played 114 Tests, 228 ODIs and 78 T20Is, had made a surprise decision to retire from international cricket.
Last month during IPL 2021, the 37-year-old versatile cricketer said it would be 'fantastic' to make an international comeback ahead of the ICC World T20.
The ICC World T20 is scheduled to be held in India in October-November.
'If I can slot in, it will be fantastic,' de Villiers had said after he playing a match-winning innings for his franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore in the now-suspended IPL in April. He had then said he would have a chat with Mark Boucher while assessing his form and fitness after the IPL.