AB de Villiers Wins Hearts Yet Again, Joins Mumbai Wheelchair Cricket Team for Practice
AB de Villiers, fondly known as the “man of the people,” continues to inspire fans—this time off the cricket field. The former South African superstar and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) legend shared an unforgettable moment with the Mumbai wheelchair cricket team during a practice session at Islam Gymkhana, Marine Lines.
Showing his humility and warmth, de Villiers sat in a wheelchair, played elegant strokes, and even ran between the wickets in true cricketing spirit. His playful interaction and enthusiastic participation brought sheer joy to the players and spectators, who captured these heartfelt moments through pictures and videos. His gesture reaffirmed his status as one of the most loved personalities in the sport.
The former Proteas captain’s bond with Bengaluru remains strong. Following RCB’s dominant win in Qualifier 1, de Villiers expressed unwavering confidence in the team’s title quest on ESPNcricinfo, saying:
“The time has come. RCB is going all the way. I’m not allowed to say the Bengaluru terms (Ee Saala Cup Namde) because Virat told me not to, but I truly believe we are going all the way this season. So stay tuned, buckle up, and enjoy the ride.”
While Virat Kohli had a rare off-day with the bat during the win against Punjab Kings, de Villiers remains confident in his long-time friend and teammate’s ability to deliver when it matters most.
Speaking on JioHotstar, he added:
“The first time I saw him on screen in the PBKS vs RCB game was when he got off the bus, and I just saw a lot of focus in that guy. That’s the body language we’re so used to seeing.”
“He didn’t score runs today, but we still saw him celebrating with the batters till the end. The ultimate team man, and he looks very, very focused.”
Kohli was dismissed in the fourth over after hitting two crisp boundaries, falling to Kiwi pacer Kyle Jamieson. But de Villiers believes the best is yet to come.
“The job’s not done yet, but I’m very excited to watch him play. I have no doubt in my mind that he’s going to play a big hand in the final.”
The grand finale of IPL 2025 will be held at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Tuesday, June 3. RCB awaits the winner of Qualifier 2 between Punjab Kings and Mumbai Indians, set to take place in Mullanpur on Friday (May 30).
As RCB aims to lift their maiden IPL title, de Villiers’ spirit and support from afar may be the spark they need to finish their dream campaign on a high.
