ABD Autobiography: Non-controversial yet absorbing, Mr. 360 delivers another gem
IN THE MIDDLE of August this year, South Africa’s premier batsman AB de Villiers announced that he would be launching his much-awaited autobiography. The official release date was on 7th September, and ever since the launch, several fans across the world expressed their delight on getting their hands on the book.
Just two days shy of finishing a month, we at TFG are glad to share our take on what AB’s autobiography brings to the fore.
Before we get into de Villiers’ story, it’s important to mention the shocking cover photo on the book. Yes, we are aware about AB’s fan following in India, but to carry an IPL photo on the cover page was downright inappropriate and insulting. We also understand, the more conventional picture was used for other countries.
Take a look at the pics below to see the disparity in publication.
Turning our focus back to the book, AB does well to open up with arguably his best innings in limited overs cricket. The initial few pages is a swift, flashback into his fastest hundred (also the quickest in ODIs) against the West Indies at Johannesburg in January 2015. Interestingly, AB talks about how he never wanted to bat ahead of David Miller on that day, but only relented on coach Russell Domingo’s insistence.
Mr.360, then goes back to his roots and thanks his elder brothers (Wessel & Jan) for making him a tough nut playing backyard cricket. Without wasting much time, he also clarifies on how he was erroneously reported over the years with laudable accomplishments across various sports (Badminton, Football, Hockey, Rugby & Swimming). However, he quickly highlights how he excelled in Tennis as a child and was once ranked as the national No.1 in South Africa. In fact, AB even played with current ATP pro and former World No.10 Kevin Anderson during their boyhood days.
Very efficiently, AB moves onto a sensitive topic and declares how two life-changing episodes moved him closer to God. Throughout the book, de Villiers keeps repeating how grateful he feels towards his creator and thanks him for all the blessings.
Talking about his transition from grade cricket to the national team, AB reveals how he came into the side without a proper defensive stroke, and how an indisciplined approach to the game prevented him from achieving consistency. He further acknowledges the immense contribution of seniors Graeme Smith, Mark Boucher and Jacques Kallis towards helping him become a better cricketer.
The book suddenly enters a dull phase, when ABD takes the readers through a decade of performances by the Proteas across formats. He also openly talks about the frustrating times when the national team crashed out of every ICC tournament.
The much-anticipated confessions about India and the IPL are extensively covered towards the latter stages of the book. ABD adopts a no-holds-barred approach in praising the cash-rich league, his beloved franchise RCB, and the passionate fans in India. He further explains how the repeated chants of ‘ABD-ABD-ABD’ in Bengaluru and Mumbai took him by surprise and brought him closer to the fans in the country. He also reveals how he proposed to his girlfriend at the iconic Taj Mahal. He concludes the chapter by saying, “India is the best place to play cricket.”
In the penultimate chapter, he talks about the exasperation and stressful times after being eliminated from the 2015 World Cup after losing to the Kiwis in the semis. In fact, ABD openly talks about the controversial selection of seamer Vernon Philander over Kyle Abbott, who was in great rhythm leading into the semis. ABD questions the intent of the selectors and expresses his disgust on how he has failed to come to terms with the irritating and unwarranted, quota system in South Africa’s cricket.
In the final chapter, ABD talks about the relentless pounding his body has taken over the years and wonders about his future in the game. He further draws an analogy to how he started his career like a car filled with petrol, but after 12 years of toil, he is forced to compare it with a car with limited fuel.
The riveting read ends on how AB and his good friend Virat Kohli discussed about their future and time in the game at this year’s IPL. While you can go ahead and read their thoughts in the book, the cricketing globe would love to see AB carry on like a racer car filled with petrol for a few more years, at least.
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