Published: Sep 12, 2016, 11:44 AM (IST)
Edited: Sep 12, 2016, 05:16 PM (IST)
AB de Villiers‘ book AB – The Autobiography has taken the cricket world by frenzy. Why not? AB is one of the finest to have played the game and enjoys an immense fan following in India. However the book, which goes on to reveal a lot of unknown anecdotes about the cricketer, is also a myth-buster.
AB is renowned for executing the impossible and there is a reason that the South African talisman is rated as the best batter in the world. Amongst the numerous records that he holds, one happens to be the fastest One-Day International (ODI) hundred. The South African captain registered the feat against West Indies in January 2015. Not only can de Villiers execute the unreal stuff at will but also he is good at many things. One of the quickest between the wickets, he is a brilliant fielder, very able wicketkeeper and if needed, he can chip in with his gentle medium pace, and not to forget his astute leadership. No doubt about his prowess but much more is amplified whenever he is at the centre of discussion.
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The rumour mill suggests that AB was shortlisted to the national hockey, football, junior rugby squads, etc. Yes, few can compete him in terms of running between the wickets but he has no 100 m medals at the national level. The South African legend himself has mentioned these facts as false in his autobiography.
Renowned cricket statistician Mohandas Menon in a tweet confirmed this.
AB de Villiers now confirms in his book “AB: The Autobiography”….. pic.twitter.com/KbonYlVLKF
— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) September 11, 2016
The book has garnered positive reviews and is considered a must-read for cricket fans. AB has used this book as a platform to dismiss the superhuman-like myths associated to him. Here is what he has to say about some of his rumoured records.
On Swimming: “As far as I recall, I did set an Under-9 breaststroke record at Warmbaths Primary School but I have never held any national school swimming records, not even for a day.”
On the Science Project: “Never undertook any science project of any significance, certainly not to attract the attention of the President.”
Back in 2008, Delhi Daredevils (DD) spent a whopping US$300,000 (per year in a three-year contract) to get AB in their ranks. AB reacted, “Really? Are you sure there isn’t one nought too many?”
There is many more of these in the South African legend’s autobiography and for that you will have to read it. However, coming out with such revelations reflects the modesty of the cricketer, whom even a prolific scorer like Virat Kohli rates as “the best in the world”.
De Villiers, who did not feature in the Test series against New Zealand due to an injury, will be back in the ODI series against Australia. A hectic season is coming up for South Africa Down Under and for the Proteas to thrive, they will need their captain to step up and lead from the front.
