Former South Africa batsman AB de Villiers is currently playing in the ongoing Big Bash League (BBL) for the Brisbane Heat. This is his first season, and in four matches, he has scored 44 runs so far.
De Villiers is a class player, and on so many occasions, the batting phenom has unveiled his dazzling skills. But who were De Villiers’ heroes when he grew up? Well, the former Proteas captain himself has revealed the names.
In an interview with cricket.com.au, ‘Mr 360’ was asked about his cricketing idols while growing up. Replying to the question, De Villiers took the names of legendary South African cricketers like Brian McMillan, Shaun Pollock, and Jonty Rhodes.
When it comes to global cricketers, then the 35-year-old named players like Glenn McGrath, Shane Warne, and Sanath Jayasuriya.
“My heroes while growing up, locally guys like Shaun Pollock, Jonty Rhodes, and Brain McMillan, then all around the world guys like Glenn McGrath, Shane Warne, I watched quite a bit while growing up,” said De Villiers.
“Sanath Jayasuriya when he was sort of changing the game with all those sixes in the first ten overs. So many heroes growing up and I remember clearly playing garden cricket with my brothers and pretending like I’m Shaun Pollock or Jonty Rhodes and doing that famous run-out and all of that, so really cool,” added De Villiers.
Who did the great AB de Villiers idolise growing up?
A few of these names might surprise… #BBL09 pic.twitter.com/GDHj0hji14
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 23, 2020
De Villiers played 114 Tests, 228 ODIs, and 78 T20Is for South Africa before announcing his retirement on May 23, 2018.
