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‘We are overwhelmed with the love AB is getting from the people’
It is his 100th Test appearance and AB de Villiers’s family made sure they were all with him in Bengaluru on his special day.
His wife Danielle and his fourth-month old son also known as AB were at the stands in the M Chinnaswamy stadium to cheer for De Villiers as he completed a century of Test appearances, during the ongoing second Test match against India.
In fact, AB Jr. was sporting a ‘AB 100’ Test jersey and a white hat in celebration of his father’s landmark.
“It’s an amazing feeling to be here and part of this special occasion. We are overwhelmed with the love AB is getting from the people in Bangalore. He deserves this love because I know he is a gem of person, a very good human being,” said his wife Danielle.
Meanwhile, de Villiers’ parents were absolutely delighted with the affection the Bengaluru fans were showering on their son. They said it turned out to be perfect that their son’s 100th Test appearance came in Bengaluru, where he has become a huge hit courtesy of his stellar performances for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League.
“It really makes us both humble. With the Bengaluru crowd chanting his name 'ABD ABD' makes me more emotional and it is a very special moment for us. Absolutely delightful that he is making his 100th Test appearance in Bengaluru which he calls his second home because he plays for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL. I know the crowd here loves him,” his mother Millie said.
De Villiers delighted his family and also his Indians fans as he stroked an entertaining 85 before he was dismissed by Ravindra Jadeja just before the tea break on Day 1, narrowly missing the chance to score a hundred in his 100th Test appearance.
She also revealed that de Villiers has fallen in love in Bengaluru and it was because of his love for the city and his fans that they decided to come down for the Test match.
“Every time he returns home from Bengaluru after IPL, he talks a lot about the city and the people here. So this time he wanted us to come to Bengaluru and experience his fan following,” she added.
His dad Abraham de Villiers Sr., who is a general practitioner, said he wanted his son to purse academics initially.
“I went to university, so that was my priority for him to have an academic future. But anyway he ended up being a cricketer and I am a very proud of him that he excelled in what he chose. Making his 100th Test appearance in a nice place like Bengaluru is special for all of us,” he said.
He also revealed that de Villiers was calm leading up to the match. “We were all together last night and he looked calm as ever. He went to bed early.”