Cricket fans remember AB de Villiers as one of the most loved and explosive players in Indian Premier League (IPL) history. But before becoming a Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) legend, the South African maestro had a rocky start to his IPL journey with the Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals).
In a candid interview with Cricket.com, the 41-year-old opened up about his challenging stint at Delhi, describing the franchise as being in “shambles” during his time there between 2008 and 2010.
AB de Villiers Opens Up About “Poisonous Characters” at Delhi
De Villiers played 28 matches for Delhi across three seasons but struggled to find consistency — not just on the field, but also in the dressing room atmosphere.
“I would hate to give you names… but Delhi Daredevils were in shambles. There were lots of poisonous characters in that side,” said De Villiers.
Despite a squad full of legends, including Glenn McGrath and Daniel Vettori, AB says his time at Delhi was bittersweet. On one hand, he had the opportunity to bond with players he once idolized. On the other, he felt unsupported and constantly on edge about his place in the team.
“Some of the highlights of my career came from that time. Sitting next to Glenn McGrath and him telling me he liked the way I played — I couldn’t believe it. But then also realizing there were cancerous elements inside the team made it hard.”
AB further recalled the uncertainty that surrounded his selection. Even after a promising 2009 season in South Africa, he found himself out of the playing XI again without clear reasons.
“I was told I would be retained. And the next thing I knew, I was in the auction. I didn’t even know what had happened. So, weird things happened.”
The Turning Point: Finding Home at RCB
AB de Villiers’ fortunes changed dramatically when he was picked up by RCB in the 2011 IPL auction. What followed was nothing short of iconic — 156 matches, 4491 runs, a 41.2 average, a strike rate of 158.6, 37 fifties, and 2 centuries.
But it wasn’t just the stats that defined his RCB chapter. It was the trust, the culture, and the belief the franchise showed in him from day one.
“The moment I walked into the RCB camp, they said, ‘You’re the man. You’ll grow here.’ Whether they meant it or not, I felt backed — I felt like I belonged.”
He credited the environment, the fans, and his bond with Virat Kohli for his transformation.
“Virat grabbed me and said, ‘The two of us are going to win games for this team.’ From that moment, I felt at home. I fell in love with the city, the vibe, the fans — and they loved me back.”
For AB de Villiers, the move to RCB wasn’t just a change of team — it was the beginning of a legendary chapter that turned him into an IPL icon and fan favorite.
