"Delhi Daredevils Apparently Misled: AB de Villiers Discloses Surprising Account on Unexpected Dismissal"
In an exclusive chat with Cricket.com, the legendary AB de Villiers, former South African star and IPL veteran, spills the beans about his tumultuous stint with the Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) during the early days of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
According to de Villiers, the Delhi Daredevils, famed for hosting bigguns like Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Glenn McGrath, and Daniel Vettori, was a hotbed of chaotic characters, with some individuals displaying toxic behaviors that plagued the team's performance.
During his three-season tango with the franchise from 2008 to 2010, de Villiers battled a myriad of challenges. Despite the massive wealth of talent, the team's chemistry was often poisonous, with factions within the ranks contributing to their inability to hit the bullseye consistently.
One of the highlights for de Villiers was the camaraderie he shared with his idols McGrath and Vettori. However, the ecstasy of sharing the dressing room with his heroes was constantly marred by the toxic presence of some teammates.
The Highs and Lows of His Tenure
de Villiers began his IPL career with a whimper, but he truly came into his own during the 2009 season held in South Africa, where he smashed his maiden IPL century and was instrumental in the team's success. Yet, despite his aggressive performances, he felt neglected at the hands of the management, expressing mixed feelings about his standing in the team.
The biggest dagger in de Villiers' heart came ahead of the 2011 IPL mega auction. Despite being assured by the Daredevils that he would be retained, he found himself on the auction block without any explanation.
"I was flat-out told I'd be retained, then suddenly I was in the auction pool," de Villiers recalls. "I didn't have a clue what was going on."
The Auction Betrayal
However, what seemed like a setback at the time, eventually proved to be a stepping stone in de Villiers' career. The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) snapped him up in the 2011 auction, and he went on to become an IPL legend.
With RCB, de Villiers formed iconic partnerships with Virat Kohli and was a fan favorite for over a decade. He racked up over 5000 runs for the franchise and became one of the most loved and respected players in IPL history.
While his time with Delhi was tumultuous, de Villiers' honesty offers a glimpse into the challenges faced by players behind the scenes. From a bumpy start to IPL stardom, ABD's journey is one for the books in the IPL's colorful history.
During his tenure with the Delhi Daredevils, sports were a battleground for de Villiers, as he grappled with toxic teammates and felt neglected by the management. Despite this, sports provided him an opportunity for redemption when the Royal Challengers Bangalore signed him in the 2011 IPL auction, leading to iconic partnerships and a place in IPL history.
