RCB to me is family. I mean it has been a life-changing 10-11 years to me: AB de Villiers

Abraham Benjamin de Villiers is a household name for the Royal Challengers Bangalore fans. The South African cricketing icon has been linked with the franchise for more than a decade and his contribution to the outfit is unparalleled.

The former RCB batter condemned the opposition bowlers to all corners of the park with extreme prejudice. Records tumbled, milestones crossed and it rained fours and sixes whenever he got going.

Just ahead of the retention announcement for the 2022 season, AB confirmed that he will be retiring from all forms of the sport. A few days later, he was heard talking on the RCB podcast where he reminisced about his halcyon days with the Challengers.

Speaking on the bond with the franchise, he said, “RCB to me is family. I mean it has been a life-changing 10-11 years to me. Like any other family, there are ups and downs. There are beautiful, there are amazing rides; there's a bit of everything.”

He continued, “There are good relationships and then there are those which go sour and that is all part of the fun. I look back with no regrets. I think back on my career at RCB as the most amazing years of my life.”

India’s admiration for ABD has been through the sky as the nation has always been an ardent upholder of good cricket. Despite being from a rival country, the Indian fans absolutely love de Villiers and, in a heartbeat, would like to make him their own.

Raving about his relationship with India, he quoted, “I have had the privilege of experiencing IPL cricket, the Indian crowd, and the Indian way of doing things for the last 15 years. Obviously growing up in India would have been interesting. Maybe I would have never played for India, who knows. It is tough to make it to the Indian team; you have to be a special player.”