Former South Africa skipper AB de Villiers enjoys a huge fan following all over the world but in India, fans love him as much as any other legendary names of Indian cricket.
The main reason behind this adulation is De Villiers’ awe-inspiring exploits in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
De Villiers began his IPL journey with Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) in the inaugural edition in 2008. After spending three seasons with the Delhi-based franchise, the Proteas batting maverick joined Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in 2011 and remained part of the side until his retirement from all forms of cricket last year.
AB de Villiers’ association with RCB became an iconic one over the years. He played 157 matches for the Bangalore-based franchise, amassing 4522 runs at an outstanding strike rate of 158.33 with two centuries and 37 fifties.
Recently, De Villiers recalled his time spent with the likes of Virat Kohli and Glen McGrath in the IPL. He also added that playing in the lucrative league changed his life.
“My IPL journey started in 2008. My first IPL year in 2008 was a huge occasion for me and a lot of other players. The start of the IPL changed my life, and people are really passionate about cricket. Not only the home team but the members of the other team as well. It tells a story about India as a nation. I think they have always been very welcoming, and they make you feel like you are one of them,” De Villiers said, as quoted by Cricketnext.
“The biggest thing that stands out for me is the people I’ve met over there, and I think the obvious ones. Virat Kohli and my time with RCB and if I go a further back, I think of Glenn McGrath, spending time with him. He was this hard guy and all of a sudden, I’m sitting with him in the change room and having a beer after the game,” he added.
Fondly known as Mr 360 for his wide array of strokes, AB de Villiers expects Cricket South Africa’s brand new T20 tournament SA20 to provide a great platform and exposure to the youngsters of the country.
“I think the SA20 is coming at a really good time for South African cricket. And we have seen the amazing things these leagues have done to the cricketers of a particular nation, to give foundation to the youngsters and exposure at the highest level against the best players around the world and this is what it’s all about,” he said.
The 38-year-old is excited to see the likes of Dewald Brevis and other youngsters expressing themselves in the SA20, which features six teams and all of them are owned by the franchise owners of IPL teams.
“Great to have Indian people involved being the investors and some of them are larger companies. I think there are a lot of young players who have come through in the last few years. I think of, very first up in my list Dewald Brevis. I’m looking forward to watching him play and a few other youngsters who performed really well,” De Villiers concluded.
