And the Chants of A-B-D! A-B-D! started...

A B deVilliers is undoubtedly one of the most entertaining cricketer to watch in modern day cricket. His mere presence at the crease is enough to intimidate the bowlers. AB the Autobiography published by Pan Macmillan India delves deep into the life of the South African legend AB DeVilliers. ABD has explained every aspect of his life . A treat for any cricket lover, the autobiography will bring De Villiers' fans close to him.

De Villiers enjoys popularity everywhere and has fans across the globe. But his association and love for India is something different. In his own words, he had been inspired by India. According to him, India is one such cricketing nation that has provided hime with so many opportunities and has become so important in his career.

On Playing in India

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!

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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.

Click Next to know When it Started?

 

When it Started?

As far as I can recall, the chant started in 2012, during the fifth season of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) were chasing 182 to beat Deccan Chargers at the Chinnaswamy Stadium and I walked out to bat when we were struggling at 106 for three, with six overs and one ball left. Our form had been inconsistent and we needed a win to stay alive in the competition, but the in-form Chargers appeared in control. With 39 runs needed from 18 balls, we decided our best option was to take risks, to attack and see what happens.

Dale Steyn, my long-standing friend and teammate, was preparing to bowl the 18th over ...

I pull the first ball for a low-trajectory six over mid-wicket. The second ball is a perfect yorker in the blockhole, which I manage to dig into the leg side for two. The crowd is starting to chant. I listen. It is my second season in Bangalore, and our outstanding supporters very often chant R-C-B! R-C-B! R-C-B!

This is different. It sounds like different lyrics set to the same tune. A-B-D! A-B-D! A-B-D!

I focus on Dale, who is running in again.

The third ball is slower. I swing hard and hit the ball just hard enough to reach the boundary. The grandstands turn into a swirling sea of red flags again and the chanting resumes, louder.

A-B-D! A-B-D! A-B-D!

The fourth delivery is full and straight, pitched on middle-and-leg. I step away to the leg side to make room, to free my hands and drive the ball over extra cover and into the crowd. A slogan flashes on the giant screen. YOU CAN’T PUT FIELDERS THERE, it reads. I look around. The atmosphere is amazing.

Dale races in and bowls the fifth ball outside off-stump. I premeditate, step to the off side, crouch down on one knee and then, swivelling, manage to paddle the ball to the boundary behind square leg.

A single to third man off the sixth ball means we have taken 23 from the over.

A-B-D! A-B-D! A-B-D!

Still on strike at the start of the 19th over, I take two steps down the wicket and drive the first ball to the extra cover boundary. The second ball is driven on the up past the bowler for four and the third ball is

inspired by india pulled into the crowd for six. Everything is going our way, and 37 runs have come from nine balls.

Syed Mohammad, my partner at the crease, whips the next ball for four and, in what seems the blink of an eye, a match we had looked like losing is won with more than an over to spare. Our teammates run on to the field to celebrate and Virat Kohli, our captain, is the first person to reach me and hug me.

THAT ONLY HAPPENS IN THE MOVIES, screams another slogan on the giant screen.

I feel exhilarated, and join the post-match line to greet the opposition. Dale smiles as he shakes my hand. We’ve come a long way from our first- class debuts on the same day at SuperSport Park to this electric night in Bangalore, and he remains a great fast bowler, a great competitor and a great sportsman ...

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Excerpted with permission from AB the Autobiography, Pan Macmillan, Rs. 366.