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"That Needs To Be Done": AB de Villiers Pushes For Key Changes In WTC Format

Poulomi Chakraborty

AB de Villiers' Key Suggestion on WTC Format (Source: @BluntIndianGal/x.com, @DilPrabhat88/x.com)AB de Villiers' Key Suggestion on WTC Format (Source: @BluntIndianGal/x.com, @DilPrabhat88/x.com)

Ending a 27-year drought, South Africa becomes the newest champion of Test cricket. After beating the mighty Australia by 5 wickets in the WTC 2023-25, Temba Bavuma and Co. won their first ever WTC trophy.

As the entire country celebrated the historic moment, South African legend AB de Villiers urged for some changes in the WTC cycle. Stressing over some challenges, he asked for a four-year WTC cycle.

ABD Calls For A Much-Needed Shake-Up In The WTC Cycle

After delivering consistent performance throughout the WTC 2023-25 cycle, South Africa met Australia and turned the game with their brilliance. Though they stumbled in the first innings, their stunning comeback in the second sealed a thrilling five-wicket victory. This historic win finally ended South Africa’s 27-year wait for a major trophy.

As South Africa is set to start their next WTC cycle, South African legend AB de Villiers called for some potential changes in the WTC cycle. Speaking to the BBC World Service podcast, he highlighted the need for a more balanced and fair schedule in the upcoming cycle.

“But yes, to a certain extent, something needs to be done. I saw the schedule that came out for the next cycle of the WTC and there is an improvement, but I still feel there's work that needs to be done there to just to get it as consistent as possible and as fair as possible for all for all Test-playing nations,” he said.

Calls For A Four-Year Cycle

The uneven schedule of the recently concluded WTC cycle raised eyebrows, with South Africa and Bangladesh playing just 12 Tests in two years, while England clocked 22 and India and Australia played 19 each. Highlighting this imbalance, AB de Villiers called for a four-year cycle to add more clarity to the competition.

"Maybe a four-year cycle would be nice. We've done that in the past with one-day internationals, so why not in Test cricket? It would make sense and it would give the organisers just so much more time to get a really fair, well-balanced system out there,” he said.


“It's a long time until our next Test match, but there's no doubt it won't be forgotten,” he added.

After the historic triumph, South Africa will start their new WTC cycle with the Test series against Zimbabwe, starting from June 28. Riding high on momentum, the Proteas will be eager to begin the new cycle with a statement win.