South Africa's batting batter AB de Villiers is one of the very few overseas cricketing stars who have managed to win the hearts of Indian fans, but they will not be able to see the ‘Mr. 360’ in action in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022.
The affection for De Villiers is pan-Indian. Whenever the legendary cricketer took the field for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the IPL, or even for the South African team, there was always an ultimate energy level among the fans.
He also never disappointed his fans, giving them lifetime memorable entertainment with the bat, and in return, the Proteas great always got standing ovations in various stadiums in India.
However, De Villiers announced his retirement from all forms of the game last year, which means he will not be seen in action for the RCB in the IPL 2022, where his absence will definitely be felt by the Indian fans.
Recently, he said that it would have been 'interesting' to grow up in India. De Villiers further asserted that even he might have found it difficult to make it to the Indian cricket team, saying you have to be a special player to represent India at the highest level.
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Speaking on the RCB podcast, de Villiers said: “I have had the privilege of experiencing IPL Cricket, the Indian crowd, and the Indian way of doing things for the last 15 years. Obviously growing up in India would have been interesting. Maybe I would have never played for India, who knows. It is tough to make it to the Indian team; you have to be a special player.”
He also opened up about his decade-long stay with RCB, saying it was the most amazing time of his life while describing it as a 'life-changing journey.'
He concluded, “RCB to me is family. I mean it has been a life-changing 10-11 years to me. Like any other family, there are ups and downs. There are beautiful, there’re amazing rides, there's a bit of everything. There are good relationships and then there are those which go sour and that is all part of the fun. I look back with no regrets. I think back on my career at RCB as the most amazing years of my life.”
