‘A-B-D, A-B-D’ chants in India make me feel humble and privileged, says AB de Villers
AB de Villers has termed India as a special place in his book, AB-The Autobiography, and said that the chants of ‘ABD-ABD’ makes him feel obliged to score runs in the IPL. ABD has also traced his journey from being an average cricketer to the highest echelon of cricket.
In his recently published autobiography, AB- The Autobiography, the South African ODI and Test skipper, has opened up on several topics. Coining his stint as an IPL player, and the love of the people in India, as a special episode of his life, ABD said that Indian fans made him humbled and privileged.
He said, “Above all, the chanting makes me feel humble and privileged and, of course, obliged to score some runs here in India."
He added, “It is difficult for me to understand how someone from a relatively small town in rural South Africa can be so fortunate and so favoured that when he walks out to bat, or simply takes guard, in almost any cricket ground in India, he can be greeted by tens of thousands of happy people chanting his initials.
A-B-D! A-B-D! A-B-D! ”
De Villiers is a rare breed of cricketer who enjoys equal success in all formats of the game and is inarguably in a league of his own as far as popularity is concerned. He remains grounded, despite innumerable achievements, and has thanked God for the talent given to him to entertain people.
ABD writes, “I am not arrogant, big-headed or self-important. I am simply grateful to God for giving me the talent to entertain people, for giving me the skill to hit a cricket ball in a way that excites people. I have wondered about these events and arrived at the conclusion that it remains His talent and His skill effectively being manifested through me. I genuinely feel so blessed to be following the path He has chosen for me."
A typical modern day batsman who always pushes to do much better, ABD is someone a fan would want to see every day smacking the bowlers all around the park. Tracing his journey from an average starter to being one of the best in the business, ABD insists that he never wanted to be just another average International cricketer.
He writes, “I wanted to be much better than that. I didn`t say anything to anyone -- there was no point boasting or bragging. But quietly and privately, I promised myself I would become the best batsman in the world. That was my goal. Nothing less would suffice. I believed I had the potential and I wanted to be No.1."
Giving his views about the future of Test cricket, ABD writes, "Personally, I am not overly concerned about the future of Test cricket. The commercial reality that ODIs and T20s draw large crowds and generate 95 per cent of the revenue is clear, but the popularity of limited-overs cricket does not mean there is no room for Tests, particularly when the entertainment remains as exceptional as it was at Wanderers (`Four seasons of IPL cricket have not produced anything like this`, a journalist typed into his laptop), and when the longer format of the game continues to be enjoyed by a core audience.
"In my view, Test cricket will continue to be played for many decades to come, played in daylight hours, played with a red ball and played in white clothing. It will continue because it remains the preferred format of a strong group of spectators whose numbers are not declining and whose passion is not diminishing. I count myself a member of this audience, and I will be watching Test cricket for many years after I stop playing."