AB de Villiers received similar standing ovation like Kohli, Rohit and Dhoni from India fans: Aakash Chopra

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KEY STORY

  • AB de Villiers’ international future finally got sealed when South Africa head coach Mark Boucher revealed that the talismanic former Proteas captain won’t be coming out of retirement. The South African had shocked the entire cricketing fraternity with his retirement decision in May 2018 at the age of 34.
  • However, recently many reports claimed that he is willing to have another go at the highest level for the T20 World Cup. Nonetheless, his retirement now stands confirmed.
  • De Villiers had a rollicking international career — with 8,565, 9,577 and 1,672 runs in Tests, ODIs and T20Is. However, his ability to go big and hit the ball to all parts of the ground made him a daunting force, giving many bowlers sleepless nights, and extending his massive fan-following worldwide.
  • De Villiers often had a good run versus India across formats. Despite all this, the ardent and loyal Indian cricket fans have always adored the South African for his humility, power-hitting, range of strokes, etc.
  • Recalling one such time when Mr. 360 got a roaring standing ovation from Indian fans, much like that is usually given to stalwarts such as Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma, Aakash Chopra recently told on his Youtube channel, “If we see Indian cricket’s immediate span, Dhoni, Kohli, and Rohit are the three players who cause a roar when they enter the ground. I saw a similar standing ovation given to AB de Villiers before the match. It was as if he was an Indian.”
  • “The kind of love and affection, and the admiration he has generated in Indian hearts. There are a few moments that get etched in your mind, which remain with you forever. This was such a moment which happened to me with regards to AB de Villiers during an India-South Africa match in Dharamsala (in 2015),” he added.

CONCLUSION

  • Apart from his heroics for the national side, AB de Villiers has managed to remain a crowd-puller in India for his consistent performances for the Virat Kohli-led Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in IPL.
  • He was once again among runs in the now-suspended IPL 14 edition, where he returned with 207 runs in 6 outings for the three-time runners-up, including two entertaining fifties.
  • Indian fans will now have to wait for a long period to witness ABD heroics in the country as even if IPL 14 resumes this year, it won’t be held in India due to the Covid-19 crisis.

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