RCB legend AB de Villiers breaks silence on feeling insecure at IPL franchise
Published - 01 Sep 2025, 05:25 PM | Updated - 01 Sep 2025, 05:41 PM
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Legendary South African cricketer AB de Villiers’ story with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) remains one of the most fascinating chapters in the Indian Premier League (IPL) history. AB de Villiers had started his IPL journey with the Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) in 2008.
The former Proteas captain represented the Delhi franchise in three seasons, scoring 95 runs in 6 games in 2008, 465 runs in 15 games in 2009, and 111 runs in 7 games in the 2010 season.
AB de Villiers reflects on his IPL journey
After shifting from Delhi in 2011, AB de Villiers found his true home in Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), where he instantly clicked with the franchise and its passionate fans.
Over 11 unforgettable IPL seasons, the South African genius became the heartbeat of the RCB alongside Virat Kohli and Chris Gayle. The trio were RCB’s most trusted match-winners over the years. But only Kohli managed to win the IPL trophy with the franchise earlier this year.
When RCB finally clinched their maiden title in 2025, De Villiers’ name was still on every fan’s lips, which highlights his legacy. Recently, the legendary batter dropped a bombshell, saying he felt insecure in the Delhi camp, but the RCB welcomed him with open hearts.
I was accepted and backed at RCB: AB de Villiers
AB de Villiers said on the Beard Before Wicket podcast, "I don't know what it is. I think I just—I was accepted and backed. I didn't feel that way at Delhi (Daredevils) in the first three years, in and out of the side. No one's fault, I hadn't proven myself at that time yet. So, it was completely normal for the coach to sort of jump and make me play around and in and out.”
The legendary batter further added, "But I think I arrived at RCB, and I was told, 'You're going to play. You're one of our main dudes here. We don't care what's happened in the past. You're our main guy.' And like, okay, cool. And that sort of immediately… players are insecure, you know.
We feel insecure sometimes; we want to feel like we're backed. And I think that's the main thing—I felt backed. Beautiful city, obviously, great stadium, and nice field to play on as a batter more often than not. So, I just—I mean, it just fit; it just worked from the start.”
Read Also: India legend gets involved in Harbhajan Singh-S Sreesanth slapgate controversy after video leak
The Virat Kohli–AB de Villiers Magic for RCB
De Villiers’ partnership with Virat Kohli turned into pure box-office entertainment for the IPL fans. The two delivered several record-shattering stands for the RCB and tore apart world-class bowling attacks in front of roaring crowds at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium and away.
Kohli and De Villiers’ fearless approach and hunger to dominate made them one of the most dangerous pairs the IPL has ever seen. The Proteas legend said that he and Virat Kohli played the game in a similar way, and they always tried to attack the bowlers.
He signed off by saying, “I just love batting with him. He is very competitive like me, and we love taking bowlers down."
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