He has been one of the most consistent performers in T20 cricket but JP Duminy feels that it is his compatriot AB de Villiers, who has changed the landscape of T20 batsmanship with his innovative shot-making.
"AB de Villiers proves a case in point as to how the T20 game has evolved. Look at the number of shots he has and the kind of spectacular innings he played the other night (vs Sunrisers). His batting is not about just trying to hit straight out of the park. It's about being innovative and being able to understand what bowlers are trying to achieve," Duminy told PTI during an interaction here today.
He has scored 240 runs for Delhi at a healthy strike-rate of nearly 137 but Duminy feels that competing with De Villiers has never crossed his mind.
"I was never in competition with AB. We will both admit that we are happy to see each other doing well and even when we play against each other. We are great friends on and off the field. Best part we play for same team, so there has never been any competition with him. I have enjoyed batting with him since our U-19 days," the 30-year-old from Cape Town said.
Duminy, who has so far featured in 21 Tests, 115 ODIs and 55 T20 Internationals for South Africa, said that he tries to pick up finer points from players like AB, Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Virat Kohli.
"There are no specific players that I look upto but I do keenly follow the way players like AB or MS approach their innings. For example, MS is a master at reading game situation and what is required from him," Duminy, who himself is one of of the finest finishers in T20 circuit, said.
He has played under the leadership of Graeme Smith and is now playing under the likes of de Villiers and Faf du Plessis. The gutsy left-hander would tell you that comparing leadership styles of Smith from Faf and AB is like chalk and cheese.
"Somebody like Graeme was very outspoken. His mere presence in the dressing room was inspiring. Faf and AB love to lead by example with performances. There are different ways of leading as per suitable styles. Graeme was an unbelievable leader but now it's a great opportunity for next generation to take on leadership roles," Duminy tried to put things into perspective.
