'He Reminds Me Of MS Dhoni' : AB de Villiers Backs Delhi Capitals Batter To Showcase '360 Degree' Skills In SA20

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As we approach towards the start of the SA20 2025, South African legend, AB de Villiers and brand ambassador of the league has expressed his admiration for Delhi Capitals batter Donovan Ferreira, identifying him as that one South African batsman with immense potential and with a wide range of shots or in short a '360 degree' player.

While de Villiers admitted he hasn't spoken much about the 26-year-old in the past, he sees him as a standout player worth keeping an eye on in the upcoming SA20 season, where he will be playing for Joburg Super Kings.

''I think one player that stands out, and I don't often or haven't, spoken about him in the past regularly is Donovan Ferreira. And the only sad thing there is he bats too low in the order to really showcase his his true potential'', de Villiers told myKhel during a SA20 media interaction with select journalists.

However, de Villiers highlighted a key concern: Ferreira often bats too low in the order, typically coming in around the 16th or 17th over. This limited his opportunities to fully demonstrate his abilities.

''He's they're all a bit older, where Donovan Ferreira is also not the youngest anymore. But I just haven't seen enough of him and I wish they could push him in at number 3 or 4 just from time to time for us to see what he's really capable of. So that'll be my pick. Hopefully, this season, will be his season of getting more game time and more time up the order''.

''I think he bats at number 6, and he showcased a little bit of what he's capable of in that last season once or twice, but just not enough balls. I really hope he could come in from overs 6 onwards, you know, and sometimes overs 8, where more often than not, he comes in only at 16th or 17th over. Really shows his skill and then he's out again. He's off and the balls are done. So that's one guy I would keep an eye out for'', he further added.

Interestingly, de Villiers compared Ferreira's batting style to MS Dhoni in his prime-noting the similar ability to dominate bowlers and strike fear into world-class players like Dale Steyn and Mitchell Starc. While he clarified that he wasn't directly equating Ferreira to Dhoni, he emphasized Ferreira's ability to hit the ball with incredible power and precision.

''I think he's a he's a out and out match winner. Just a fantastic player. He reminds me a bit of MS Dhoni in his prime, and it's that I'm not comparing them. I'm saying he reminds me of him where MS was really brutal, against the bowlers. He really bludgeoned the ball, all parts of the ground'', the 40-year-old explained.

''He made guys like Dale Steyn, Mitchell Starke look like they are scared to bowl to him. And that's the feeling I get with Donovan. Hits the ball so hard. He's got such a good eye, and, hopefully, he will face a few more more deliveries in this coming season'', the ex RCB superstar concluded.

Ferreira has played all around the world for various T20 franchises and even represented South Africa in T20Is. In IPL 2024, he played for Rajasthan Royals before getting roped in by the Delhi Capitals for INR 75 lakhs for the 2025 season. He will be seen in action on 11th Jan against MI Cape Town.