AB de Villiers reflects on toxic Delhi Daredevils era: support found only at RCB

AB de Villiers reflected candidly on his early Indian Premier League (IPL) years with the Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals), describing the team environment as toxic and "in shambles" due to "poisonous characters."

The 41-year-old South African batsman, who played 28 matches for Delhi between 2008 and 2010, said, "I would hate to give you names. Burning people, you know. But Delhi Daredevils were in shambles. I mean, it was. There were lots of poisonous characters on that side."

Despite the challenges, de Villiers recalled fond moments with cricketing legends Glenn McGrath and Daniel Vettori, calling those years "bittersweet." However, he lamented the lack of support from the franchise, stating, "Also, I wasn't backed as I would have liked to."

His move to Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in 2011 marked a turning point. De Villiers immediately felt valued, saying, "I arrived at the RCB and immediately, the day I walked in there, I felt like these guys want me to play every game." He remained with RCB until his retirement in 2021, cementing his legacy as one of the IPL's most iconic players.

De Villiers' reflections highlight the stark contrast between his experiences at the two franchises, underscoring the importance of team culture and support in professional sports.

Key quotes:
"There were lots of poisonous characters on that side." — AB de Villiers on Delhi Daredevils
"I wasn't backed as I would have liked to."
"I felt like these guys want me to play every game." — On joining RCB

Stats:
- Played 28 matches for Delhi Daredevils (2008-2010)
- Played for Royal Challengers Bangalore from 2011 until retirement in 2021

AB de Villiers described his Delhi Daredevils stint (2008-2010) as 'bitter-sweet' due to 'poisonous characters' and lack of support. He found a more positive environment at Royal Challengers Bangalore, where he felt backed from day one, playing until his 2021 retirement.