Many overseas players have graced the Indian T20 League with their presence over the past 15 years. From Lasith Malinga to Shane Watson, and many others have made their presence felt in the cash-rich tournament. One such player is South African batting sensation, AB de Villiers.
Many former cricketers have chosen the best players and moments from the Indian T20 League ahead of the 2023 season. The tournament’s long journey has provided cricket fans with the opportunity to debate the greatest players to grace the cash-rich league since 2008.
During a discussion, Gautam Gambhir critically assessed AB de Villiers, refusing to consider him one of the league’s best. Many were stunned by Gambhir’s words about one of the greatest cricketers to grace all three formats of the game, as he made the bizarre claim that anyone can score runs at Bangalore’s home ground, The Chinnaswamy Stadium.
“Ab de Villiers only had personal records in the IPL. Anybody could have scored runs in Chinnaswamy Stadium,” said Gambhir on Star Sports.
Here is Gautam Gambhir’s video
He is right.
MR. IPL @ImRaina ? pic.twitter.com/ysRomAnoJh— ??????? (@mkrinesh) March 4, 2023
Fans were taken aback by Gambhir’s remark, and they took to social media to troll him. Many dug out Gambhir’s performance in Bengaluru, which was underwhelming. The former Kolkata captain appeared in 11 games at the iconic Chinnaswamy Stadium, scoring 302 runs at an average of 30.02 and a strike rate of 126.36. De Villiers, on the other hand, scored 1960 runs in 61 matches at Chinnaswamy, with an average of 43.56 and a strike rate of 161.18.
De Villiers appeared in 170 Indian T20 League games, scoring 5162 runs at an average of 39.71 and a strike rate of 151.69. In a special awards ceremony hosted by the league’s broadcaster, the South African batting great was recently named the best batter in the tournament’s history.
After the 13th edition of the tournament, De Villiers announced his retirement from all forms of competitive cricket in 2021. He played for the Delhi team from 2008 to 2010, before moving to Bangalore in 2011 and spending the rest of his career there.
Here is how Twitter reacted
Ganja mara hua gumbirrrrrrrr??? pic.twitter.com/o3PWNMgkP6
— Ajinkya Repal ?? (@ajinkya_rt) March 5, 2023
Every time Gambhir made a controversial statement,
His fans be like: pic.twitter.com/i3gqCIiBUF— Samarth (@sammy7997) March 4, 2023
At Chinnaswamy Stadium in IPL:
Gambhir – 11 inn (all as opener), 30.2 average, 126.4 SR
AB de Villiers – 61 inn (34 at number 4 or below), 43.56 average, 161.2 SR
— Arman Malik (@Armanmalik9582) March 4, 2023
Even Umesh Yadav hits six in such a small ground but what we love about ABD is the brand of cricket he plays. Thats something only he can do. Baki cricket khel raha he to run to banayega hi na.
— GHOST?? (@immythesh) March 4, 2023
Gabbu Gambhir ?
— ?????? ???????? (@Kempegowdashai) March 4, 2023
Jo Bumrha, Bolt, Styne, Malinga Rabada, Archer ko Ashok Dinda bana ke pele Uska Naam hai AB de Villiers ?
Gautam Gumbhirrrrrrr So jao baby.. @GautamGambhir pic.twitter.com/yeHw2ci7uh
— Ajinkya Repal ?? (@ajinkya_rt) March 5, 2023
Goutam Gambhir has strike rate of 125 at Chinnaswamy
— Abdul Lateef (@ABDUL_X_VIRAT) March 4, 2023
He didn't played for his personal stats, but definitely he didn't won anything with SA and RCB. When it's matter the most he didn't scored.
Take ex: Faf stood up in Playoffs 2018.— Syed (@SapnoKeRaja) March 4, 2023
De Villiers Smashed 61 ball 119 runs in India 217 not out at Ahmedabad… What gambhir do at South Africa
— Hamza Gayas Khan (@DrxHamzakhan) March 4, 2023
Good to see that Gambhir has moved on from Dhoni'w World cup hitting six and is now focusing on ABD
— ? (@SarcasticCowboy) March 4, 2023
