AB de Villiers, often regarded as one of the greatest cricketers of his era, left an indelible mark on the cricketing world. Known for his explosive batting and the ability to dismantle any bowling attack, De Villiers excelled across all formats and in leagues like the Indian Premier League (IPL), where he was a key player for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). However, one notable void in De Villiers’ illustrious career remains—winning an IPL title.
Manjrekar’s Bold Comparison
In a recent discussion on Star Sports, former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar sparked a debate by claiming that Suryakumar Yadav, India’s current T20I captain, has already surpassed De Villiers in terms of match-winning impact in T20 cricket.
“I’ll say yes, because of the match-winning impact. AB was incredible. But AB’s greatness was that he averaged 50 in Tests, even in ODIs. So, he’s an amazing player. But only if you look at T20 cricket; I’ve seen both of them a lot. AB de Villiers wasn’t utilized to his full potential in the IPL. His real ability. So, in IPL, we didn’t get that much juice out of him.”
Manjrekar further suggested that De Villiers’ choice of franchise limited his ability to fully showcase his greatness in the IPL, stating:
“Sorry to say, but he played for the wrong franchise. Had he played in different conditions, the world could have witnessed an even greater version of AB de Villiers.”
AB de Villiers in the IPL
During his IPL career, De Villiers represented two franchises:
- Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) (2008–2010)
- Royal Challengers Bangalore (2011–2021)
Over 184 matches, De Villiers scored 5162 runs, including 2 centuries and 37 fifties. For RCB alone, he amassed 4491 runs, forming iconic partnerships with Virat Kohli. Despite his brilliance, RCB failed to secure an IPL trophy during his tenure.
Suryakumar Yadav’s Meteoric Rise
Suryakumar Yadav has emerged as a modern-day T20 phenomenon, celebrated for his 360-degree shots and match-winning contributions for Mumbai Indians and Team India. His ability to dominate bowling attacks and execute unconventional shots has earned him the moniker “India’s Mr. 360,” drawing inevitable comparisons to De Villiers.
Legacy and Debate
While the debate over match-winning impact and franchise utilization will persist, De Villiers’ legacy as a versatile and groundbreaking cricketer remains unmatched. Fans and experts continue to admire his contributions to cricket despite the elusive IPL title. On the other hand, Suryakumar Yadav’s journey is still unfolding, with his unique style and consistency positioning him as one of the finest T20 players of the current era.