former south africa captain AB de Villiers Bengaluru will always hold a special place in his heart and he describes the city as changing his life and allowing him to develop a connection with his fans that he never had before.Speaking on The Times of India’s Mumbai Sports Exchange podcast, the Royal Challengers Bangalore legend reflected on his 11-year association with the franchise and said the love from the fans allowed him to fulfill his childhood dream.“Bangalore is the place closest to my heart and will always be so,” de Villiers said. “This city changed my life, so it will always have a special place in my heart.”De Villiers joined RCB in 2011 after three seasons with the Delhi side and quickly became a part of the team. intense pulsed lightFavorite player. beside Virat Kohlihe formed one of the league’s most iconic batting partnerships and earned a lasting place in the hearts of Bengaluru supporters despite the team’s long wait for its maiden IPL title.Looking back on his early days at RCB, de Villiers said he felt at home almost immediately.“Bengaluru is a very special city. It has had a huge impact on my life. When I joined RCB in 2011, I immediately felt at home. It didn’t take long for the crowd to start supporting me.”The 41-year-old recalled the first time he heard the crowd at the Chinnaswamy Stadium chanting his name, saying it immediately took him back to his childhood.“Hearing them shout my name was one of those dream moments I had as a kid,” he said.“When I was six or seven, I used to play tennis in the garage and imagine myself playing tennis in front of a big crowd.”“When the crowd in Bangalore first started chanting my name, it was like a lightbulb went on. I thought, ‘This is my dream.’ ‘”According to de Villiers, the emotional bond was formed almost immediately and only grew stronger over time.“The connection to Bangalore was direct. In the following years, the connection to the whole of India developed further, especially around 2015 and 2016. But Bangalore is where it all started.”Few overseas cricketers enjoy the admiration de Villiers enjoys in India, with RCB supporters still celebrating him years after his retirement from the IPL.When asked what it is that makes Indian fans connect with him so deeply, the former South Africa captain admitted that he never fully understood it.“Honestly, I never really understood it. I just knew it was something special,” he said.“India is cricket And for competition. I think people appreciate players who are passionate and genuinely happy. ““Maybe that’s what people connect with. Maybe they also appreciate people who always try to stay positive.”While he can’t fully explain the relationship, de Villiers said it remains one of the greatest gifts of his career.“No matter how it happened, I’m grateful,” he said. “I will always cherish the connection I have with the people of Bangalore and India as a whole.”
