Latest news with #DelhiDaredevils
Pink Villa
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
In Pics: Meet 24-year-old Indian cricketer Abhishek Sharma, who can give Bollywood actors a run for their money
He came for the runs and stayed for the hearts. India's cricketing scene has a long history of charming crowd-pullers, though few have exploded onto the scene with as much flair and fanfare as Abhishek Sharma. Once known purely for his skill with the bat, the 24-year-old now finds himself in the rare bracket of sporting celebrities who can give Bollywood's finest a run for their money. With record-breaking knocks, cheeky on-field comebacks, and a social media game on point, Abhishek is quickly becoming the face of India's next generation of sports icons. Abhishek Sharma: How he became SRH's powerhouse Abhishek Sharma's cricket journey began in Amritsar, where his father, a coach himself, trained him. He dominated the Vijay Merchant Under-16 tournament in 2015-16 with 1200 runs, then captained India to a U-19 Asia Cup win. IPL scouts took notice, and in 2018, the Delhi Daredevils signed him a week before India's U-19 World Cup victory. He debuted with a bang—46 off 19 balls—but it was with Sunrisers Hyderabad, where he moved in 2019, that he truly took flight. In IPL 2024, promoted as opener by Pat Cummins, he smashed 484 runs, including a record-breaking 63 off 23 in a 277-run team total. The fireworks continued in IPL 2025, where his 141 off 55 against Punjab Kings became the third-highest individual score in IPL history. He has since made a successful transition to the international stage, scoring a T20I century on debut against Zimbabwe. Charisma beyond the cricket Abhishek Sharma isn't just batting averages and blistering knocks, he's a bona fide heartthrob, with a popularity that rivals that of movie stars. With multiple charming (and now viral) Instagram posts, the All-rounder often has fangirls flooding the comments with heart emojis and love. According to OneCricket, even male fans can't get enough—cheering his every move on and off the pitch. That charm has also sparked dating rumors with fashion designer Laila Faisal, adding more spice to the stardom. His mock reply to Divesh Rathi's 'notebook sendoff' had social media crowning the move the 'coldest replies of the season,' per India Times. At 24, Abhishek Sharma is not just rewriting T20 records; he's rewriting what it means to be a cricket superstar.
India.com
16-06-2025
- Sport
- India.com
AB de Villiers gives surprising statement 15 years after leaving Delhi Daredevils, says 'there were lots of poisonous characters'
AB de Villiers. New Delhi: The Delhi Capitals are one of only two original IPL teams yet to win the tournament, despite possessing strong talent in its early years. A common point of discussion among fans is the potential impact of retaining AB de Villiers, who played for Delhi for three seasons before achieving significant success with the Royal Challengers Bangalore. Despite initial success and playoff appearances, South African cricketer AB de Villiers disclosed that a negative team environment ultimately led to the Daredevils' subsequent decline. 'I'd hate to give you names — burning people, you know — but the Delhi Daredevils were in shambles. There were a lot of poisonous characters in that team,' said de Villiers in an interview with During his early international career, De Villiers reminisced about his time alongside cricketing legends. 'There were lots of legends, which makes it a bittersweet memory for me. I still remember those times fondly. Some of the highlights of my life and career came during that stint-especially spending time with guys like Glenn McGrath and Daniel Vettori. These were my heroes growing up, and I was honestly a bit scared of them.' 'I'm sitting here in 2008 and (McGrath) sits next to me and goes, 'I like the way you play.' So from those highs to also realising there's some cancerous characters inside, no need to mention names. It was a very bittersweet three years for me,' explained to Protea legend. While the Daredevils boasted a roster including notable players like Gautam Gambhir, Virender Sehwag, Dinesh Karthik, and a young David Warner, in addition to established stars, they consistently failed to win elimination matches. AB de Villiers' career downturn began with internal team issues at Delhi Daredevils. Despite a strong 2009 season (465 runs), his performance in 2010 was inconsistent, leading to his release before the 2011 auction. He subsequently joined Royal Challengers Bangalore, marking a significant turning point in his career. '2009 was nice. I played almost the entire season in South Africa, came back, and I thought I was going to be the man. Then, all of a sudden, I wasn't playing again. It was mixed feelings. I was told I would be retained, and then the next minute, I saw myself in the auction. I didn't even know what had happened. So many weird things went on.' AB de Villiers' time with the Delhi Daredevils (later the Capitals) was initially challenging, but his individual performance was exceptional. He became a highly successful IPL batsman, accumulating 5162 runs and delivering memorable performances for Royal Challengers Bangalore. 'The day I walked into RCB, I felt like they wanted me to play every game. I was so surprised. They just went, 'You're the man. You're going to grow here. You're going to become a great player with us-you're part of the family.' Done and dusted,' said de Villiers.
India Today
15-06-2025
- Entertainment
- India Today
Delhi Daredevils had poisonous characters in team: AB de Villiers's shocking claim
Former South African captain AB de Villiers has made a candid and surprising revelation about his time with the Delhi Daredevils (now known as the Delhi Capitals). In a recent interview with the Indian Premier League (IPL) legend reflected on his early years in the tournament and how the franchise struggled internally despite boasting a star-studded Villiers, who played for Delhi from 2008 to 2010, stopped short of naming individuals but offered a rare glimpse into the dysfunction behind the hate to give you names-burning people, you know-but the Delhi Daredevils were in shambles. There were a lot of poisonous characters in that team," he said. The squad, which featured cricketing heavyweights like Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Shikhar Dhawan, Glenn McGrath, and Daniel Vettori, failed to meet expectations. Despite making the playoffs in the first two seasons, the team never quite clicked."There were lots of legends, which makes it a bittersweet memory for me. I still remember those times fondly. Some of the highlights of my life and career came during that stint-especially spending time with guys like Glenn McGrath and Daniel Vettori. These were my heroes growing up, and I was honestly a bit scared of them," De Villiers his 2009 season in South Africa saw consistent performances, the following year brought frustration. A lack of playing time and clarity over his role led to disillusionment, ultimately prompting his departure from the was nice. I played almost the entire season in South Africa, came back, and I thought I was going to be the man. Then, all of a sudden, I wasn't playing again," he recalled."It was mixed feelings. I was told I would be retained, and then the next minute, I saw myself in the auction. I didn't even know what had happened. So many weird things went on."De Villiers eventually moved to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in 2011-a turning point in his IPL career. He immediately felt at home with his new team, which gave him the backing he had been missing."The day I walked into RCB, I felt like they wanted me to play every game. I was so surprised. They just went, 'You're the man. You're going to grow here. You're going to become a great player with us-you're part of the family.' Done and dusted."Though he retired from the IPL without winning the title as a player, De Villiers was in the stands when RCB finally clinched the trophy. He also celebrated a greater national triumph around the same time, watching South Africa defeat Australia to win the World Test Reel
Time of India
15-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
IPL: AB de Villiers opens up on 'tumultuous' Delhi Daredevils era; says 'a lot of poisonous characters in that team'
AB de Villiers South African legend AB de Villiers has opened up about his tumultuous time with the now-defunct Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals), calling his early IPL years a bittersweet chapter clouded by internal chaos. Despite boasting an array of cricketing legends, Delhi never made it past the semi-finals during de Villiers' stint from 2008 to 2010. 'There were a lot of poisonous characters in that team,' de Villiers revealed in an interview with 'I'd hate to give you names - burning people, you know - but the Delhi Daredevils were in shambles.' Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! De Villiers made the playoffs with Delhi in 2008 and 2009 and was one of the team's standout performers, scoring 465 runs in the 2009 season held in South Africa. However, his role diminished in 2010, and to his surprise, he found himself in the auction pool ahead of 2011. Poll What do you think was the main issue with the Delhi Daredevils during AB de Villiers' tenure? Internal chaos Lack of team cohesion Poor management decisions Injuries to key players 'I thought I was going to be the man,' he recalled. 'Then, all of a sudden, I wasn't playing again… I was told I would be retained, and then the next minute, I saw myself in the auction. I didn't even know what had happened. So many weird things went on.' Lobo Predicted It, Again: South Africa's Historic WTC Win vs Australia Despite the bitter fallout, de Villiers fondly remembers sharing the dressing room with icons like Glenn McGrath and Daniel Vettori . 'Some of the highlights of my life and career came during that stint,' he said. De Villiers went on to become one of the most beloved and successful players in IPL history with Royal Challengers Bengaluru, amassing over 5000 runs. 'The day I walked into RCB, I felt like they wanted me,' he said. 'You're going to become a great player with us - you're part of the family.'
Indian Express
15-06-2025
- Sport
- Indian Express
‘Lot of ‘poisonous characters' in that team': AB de Villiers recalls ‘bittersweet' Delhi Daredevils IPL stint
South Africa legend AB de Villiers has had an enjoyable fortnight cheering on his country and his favoured IPL franchise ending their long title droughts. While the Proteas downed Australia to lift the ICC World Test Championship mace at Lord's, de Villiers was in attendance at the home of cricket, 11 days after he was present during the IPL 2025 final when his former team, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, won their first title in 17 years. However, in a recent interview, the former South Africa captain recounted a few unpleasant memories from back in time, during his first three IPL seasons with the Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals). de Villiers recalled the toxicity of the environment that left him with bittersweet memories even as he shared the dressing room with some of his childhood heroes. 'I'd hate to give you names-burning people, you know-but the Delhi Daredevils were in shambles. There were a lot of poisonous characters in that team,' he told 'There were lots of legends, which makes it a bittersweet memory for me. I still remember those times fondly. Some of the highlights of my life and career came during that stint-especially spending time with guys like Glenn McGrath and Daniel Vettori. These were my heroes growing up, and I was honestly a bit scared of them,' de Villiers added. While the 41-year-old enjoyed the 2009 season in South Africa, playing all 15 games for 465 runs, including a century, de Villiers only tallied 13 games in total from 2008 and 2010. '2009 was nice. I played almost the entire season in South Africa, came back, and I thought I was going to be the man. Then, all of a sudden, I wasn't playing again,' he recalled. 'It was mixed feelings. I was told I would be retained, and then the next minute, I saw myself in the auction. I didn't even know what had happened. So many weird things went on.' de Villiers was later roped in by RCB during the 2011 auction and would emerge as one of their greatest batting superstars alongside Virat Kohli and Chris Gayle. Aggregating 4511 runs in 145 innings, de Villiers remains as RCB's second-highest run-getter, behind Kohli. 'The day I walked into RCB, I felt like they wanted me to play every game. I was so surprised. They just went, 'You're the man. You're going to grow here. You're going to become a great player with us-you're part of the family.' Done and dusted.'
