I have seen AB de Villiers get a standing ovation in India like the ones given to Dhoni, Kohli and Rohit: Aakash Chopra

Former India player and renowned commentator Aakash Chopra shared his most favorite memory of legendary South African cricketer AB de Villiers. Chopra said that he has seen the Indian crowds rise up to their feet for him, which they generally do for players such as Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma.

Fans were hoping to see their favorite player de Villiers in action during the ICC T20 World Cup but Mark Boucher cleared all those doubts by stating that the 37-year-old cricketer won’t play for South Africa again. Maverick batter de Villiers had a phenomenal Indian Premier League where he scored over 200 runs for RCB.

His fearless batting left fans and commentators awe-struck and it seemed de Villiers might change his heart, but alas it was not to be as he felt taking a place of a youngster is not a good decision.

While reflecting on the legendary batter’s career in a video shared on his YouTube channel, Chopra recalled the standing ovation received by the South African great during one of his visits to India for a tour.

When Indian crowds love for AB de Villiers left Aakash Chopra speechless

Chopra pointed out one such incident during a match between India and South Africa in Dharamsala on how the player received love and affection like an Indian player.

“If we see Indian cricket’s immediate span, Dhoni, Kohli, and Rohit are the three players who cause a roar when they enter the ground. I saw a similar standing ovation given to AB de Villiers before the match. It was as if he was an Indian,” said Chopra.

“The kind of love and affection, and the admiration he has generated in Indian hearts. There are a few moments that get etched in your mind, which remain with you forever. This was such a moment which happened to me with regards to AB de Villiers during an India-South Africa match in Dharamsala,” he added.

During South Africa’s 2015 tour to India, de Villiers was seen in red-hot form in the five-match ODI series as he slammed two centuries. His 119 was appreciated and applauded by the Wankhede crowd and they were constantly chanting ‘ABD ABD ABD.’ The Pretoria-born legendary player is one of the most loved foreign players in India.

Back in 2018, de Villiers retired from international cricket after citing tiredness. However, he continued playing the domestic T20 league around the world. Even as he kept piling on runs, the netizens and experts kept wondering about the reason behind his retirement. Time and again, he has also garnered praises from RCB skipper Virat Kohli.