Introduction: The Bold Statement
Sanjay Manjrekar, the former India cricketer and now commentator, stirred up the cricketing world by claiming that AB de Villiers, one of IPL’s most iconic players, played for the wrong franchise during his career. Representing Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) for 11 seasons, de Villiers built an incredible legacy, but Manjrekar believes his brilliance was curtailed by the franchise.
Manjrekar’s Assessment: A Misfit at RCB?
During a discussion on Star Sports, Manjrekar was asked to compare de Villiers with Suryakumar Yadav. While praising both players, he placed Surya slightly ahead in T20s, citing his unmatched impact as a match-winner. However, Manjrekar’s comments took an unexpected turn as he criticized RCB for not utilizing de Villiers’ full potential.
“AB was incredible. But AB’s greatness was that he averaged 50 in Tests and even in ODIs. In IPL, though, we didn’t get that much juice out of him. Sorry to say, but he played for the wrong franchise,” Manjrekar remarked.
De Villiers’ Legacy: Numbers Speak Louder Than Words
Contrary to Manjrekar’s opinion, AB de Villiers’ contribution to RCB remains unmatched. After Virat Kohli, de Villiers is the second-highest run-scorer for the franchise, amassing 4522 runs between 2011 and 2021. With 5162 runs across 184 IPL matches, his performances included jaw-dropping centuries like the unbeaten 129 against Gujarat Lions in 2016.
Even Chris Gayle, another RCB legend, lags behind de Villiers by over 1000 runs in the franchise’s scoring charts. These numbers solidify his place as a cornerstone of RCB’s history.
Manjrekar vs The Fans: Divided Opinions
Manjrekar’s comments have ignited debates among fans and analysts. While some agree that RCB’s team strategy might not have maximized de Villiers’ impact, others argue that his incredible performances for the franchise speak for themselves. De Villiers’ legacy, built on unforgettable moments and match-winning knocks, remains cherished by the RCB faithful.
The Surya vs ABD Debate
The conversation began as a comparison between de Villiers and Suryakumar Yadav. Manjrekar acknowledged Surya’s unparalleled dominance in T20s, calling him a notch above de Villiers in this format. However, he conceded that in Tests and ODIs, de Villiers stands far ahead, cementing his position as one of cricket’s all-time greats.
Conclusion: Legacy Over Misfit
While Sanjay Manjrekar’s critique offers a different perspective on AB de Villiers’ IPL career, it’s impossible to overlook the South African’s immense contributions to RCB. From unforgettable innings to his chemistry with Virat Kohli, de Villiers created moments that remain etched in IPL history. Whether or not he played for the “wrong franchise,” one thing is certain – AB de Villiers is, and always will be, a legend of the game.(Dubai7-Realmoneygame)