AB de Villiers Critiques Comparisons with Top IPL Batters
AB de Villiers Speaks Out Against Unfair Comparisons
AB de Villiers has voiced his frustration regarding the frequent comparisons made between him and other players, particularly top-order batsmen. He believes it is unjust to evaluate his achievements alongside theirs, especially when referencing Virat Kohli's milestone of being the only player to amass 8000 runs in the Indian Premier League (IPL). The former Royal Challengers Bengaluru star has called for significant changes to the rules governing the shortest format of cricket.
De Villiers expressed his annoyance at discussions suggesting that top three batters have outperformed him in terms of runs. He confidently asserted his superiority over other players, explaining that he often batted outside the powerplay, which presents a greater challenge. He highlighted this difference during his experience opening for South African legends in the recent World Championship of Legends (WCL).
"I dislike it when my runs are compared to those of other IPL players because I haven't faced as many balls as the openers. It frustrates me immensely. Yes, this player has scored 8,000 runs, but I've faced fewer deliveries. Don't make those comparisons. Moreover, most of them are openers who benefit from fielding restrictions, with only two fielders allowed outside the circle. I witnessed this firsthand in the WCL, where the game is played differently," de Villiers remarked during a conversation with Pommie Mbangwa on his YouTube channel.
He further advocated for the removal of fielding restrictions during the powerplay, noting that it would level the playing field. "Now that I understand the dynamics, it’s clear that all the top run-scorers are openers. To achieve success, one must open the batting. It bothers me. I can't recall who said it, but there’s a notion that 'the openers are the glory boys.' When the game gets tough, it’s the middle-order batsmen who have to step up and do the heavy lifting," he added.
Throughout his IPL career, de Villiers played for the Delhi Daredevils from 2008 to 2010 and the Royal Challengers Bengaluru from 2011 to 2021. Despite never clinching the trophy, he is widely regarded as one of the greatest batsmen in the league's history, having scored 5162 runs in 170 innings with an impressive average of 39.71 and a strike rate of 151.69, including three centuries and 40 half-centuries.