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In an era where countless international stars have graced the Indian Premier League (IPL), only a rare few continue to live in the hearts of fans long after their retirement. AB de Villiers is one of those timeless icons. Whether it was his jaw-dropping strokeplay, his calm under pressure, or the sheer joy he brought to the game, de Villiers left an imprint that goes far beyond just runs and records. Even after stepping away from the game, his name still echoes in every Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) chant, and his legacy remains unmatched among global cricketing greats who played in the IPL.
AB de Villiers’ stellar record for RCB and his recent fan interaction on YouTube
De Villiers, one of the most iconic batters in IPL history, played 11 seasons for RCB from 2011 to 2021. In 184 matches for RCB, he scored a staggering 5,162 runs at an average of 39.71 and a strike rate of 151.69. He notched up 2 centuries and 37 fifties, often playing match-winning knocks under pressure. AB formed a legendary partnership with Kohli, including a record 229-run stand in 2016. He is remembered for his 360-degree shot-making and finishing games from impossible situations. He was also a brilliant fielder, pulling off unbelievable catches and saving runs at key moments. Even after retirement, AB continues to be associated with RCB, both emotionally and as a fan-favorite. Recently, on his YouTube channel, De Villiers responded to fan questions, including which IPL team he’d play for apart from RCB.
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De Villiers clears the air on fan curiosity over which IPL team he would play apart from RCB
When asked which IPL team he would have chosen apart from RCB, De Villiers, fondly known as Mr. 360, gave a candid and heartwarming response. “I can speak on behalf of my boys,” he began. “Both my sons want RCB to win because they know that’s the team I played for, and they’re proud of that. But interestingly, they’ve also shown affection for Rajasthan Royals, initially because Yuzvendra Chahal was part of the team,”
He added with a laugh, “This season I had to remind them that Yuzi is no longer there. They were like, “Yuzie, right?’ and I had to say, ‘No, he’s moved.’ Now, they’ve started liking Kings XI Punjab or ‘Kingsh’, as they call it since Yuzi is playing there,”. He also mentioned that his kids are fond of Gujarat Titans, and they continue to root for Sanju Samson and Rajasthan Royals because they know AB recently had a chat with Samson.
While his sons might enjoy teams beyond RCB, AB de Villiers made it crystal clear where his loyalty lies. “For me personally? No other team,” he said firmly. “It’s always been RCB and that’s all it is. Apologies, but I wouldn’t pick any other,” This unwavering commitment only reaffirms AB’s legendary status among RCB supporters, with his legacy at the franchise remaining untouchable even years after his retirement.
