In more ways than one, AB de Villiers would come closest to be described as cricket's very own Lionel Messi- extremely talented as an individual and yet the dream of winning honours playing for his country remains elusive for some strange reasons.
Yet, the journey is nothing but inspirational. And it's always the journey that's most beautiful, isn't it?
It's a journey of an eleven year old kid who wears the famous Jonty Rhodes' cap and drops a catch while playing with his two elder brothers only to have his cap removed and thrown in the dust by his brothers and friends. A humiliated AB then continues to bat and bat to seek redemption for dropping the catch. And yes it's the same youngster a decade later who is now taking some spectacular catches in the field in national colours who forces Jonty himself to say- ''He's my boy!''
It's a journey of a prodigious youngster who is floundering his way out of indiscipline and mediocrity and then all of a sudden wakes up one fine day and decides he wants to be the best in the world. How many people would say they want to be the best and then eventually go on to become the best?
Very few.
AB is one such rare player.
A once in a lifetime player.
A player so talented at various sports like rugby, tennis and cricket that even in his high school he is not sure which sport he is going to pursue.
Thank god, he chose cricket.
Yet, the journey is nothing but inspirational. And it's always the journey that's most beautiful, isn't it?
It's a journey of an eleven year old kid who wears the famous Jonty Rhodes' cap and drops a catch while playing with his two elder brothers only to have his cap removed and thrown in the dust by his brothers and friends. A humiliated AB then continues to bat and bat to seek redemption for dropping the catch. And yes it's the same youngster a decade later who is now taking some spectacular catches in the field in national colours who forces Jonty himself to say- ''He's my boy!''
It's a journey of a prodigious youngster who is floundering his way out of indiscipline and mediocrity and then all of a sudden wakes up one fine day and decides he wants to be the best in the world. How many people would say they want to be the best and then eventually go on to become the best?
Very few.
AB is one such rare player.
A once in a lifetime player.
A player so talented at various sports like rugby, tennis and cricket that even in his high school he is not sure which sport he is going to pursue.
Thank god, he chose cricket.
Speaking of god, AB describes how he is a firm believer in god and that on couple of occasions he has even heard god speak to him, to his inner self and it continues to motivate him, to appreciate the little joys in life, to stay grounded and to acknowledge how privileged he has been to pursue a sport which he would play even without money for fun as a profession which now gets him to travel all across the globe.
AB also makes it clear that such a journey would not have been possible without the great friendships he has developed on the field. He writes at length how he cherishes his friendship with Faf Du Plessis who was his best friend and captain at school and about a fast and furious bowler who made his domestic and test debuts alongside him and had an almost similar journey to become the world's best, albeit with the ball, Dale Steyn.
From not being able to defend properly to playing one of the slowest innings in the history of test cricket to ensure a draw, he talks about the sheer exhilaration of batting with Faf Du Plessis on that eventful day at Adelaide when the high school friends who were once suspended for lack of discipline decided to grind it out in a battle of sheer attrition.
He writes about the team bonding and the willingness to take up any job for the team and setting example as a senior player now. He writes in detail the importance of having great seniors and mentors in the team and he particularly writes about the big three- Smith, Kallis and Boucher and how Kallis was the person who actually made him understand the importance of playing defensive cricket.
There was a time when his career appeared at crossroads. Then the fateful tour to India happened. Ahmedabad test happened. A transformed and more disciplined AB took centrestage as a brilliant double hundred helped South Africa defeat India at home and the juggernaut rolled on from there- a journey of dizzying personal highs and demoralising lows as a team while representing at world cups. He acknowledges how India and IPL in particular has played a pivotal role in the making of this beautiful journey. He writes how humbling it has been for him to receive so much love and adulation from Indian crowds even when he is playing against them and that the cheer: ''A..B.. D..'' from the stands will continue to reverberate in his memory forever.
There is also a dream that AB talks about which keeps waking him up every so often- that of him affecting a run out to win South Africa a world cup and how he desperately wants it to come true some day before he hangs his boots.
Don't expect AB to be like Kevin Pietersen. There are no startling revelations. No conspiracies. It's a honest account of an equally honest boy from Bela-Bela who has now made Bengaluru his second home.
Those who have watched AB only on highlights or only in last few years or only in IPL seem to have an opinion that AB was a born genius, a player cut from some different cloth. However, AB puts all such flattering notions to rest as he describes the process of how a player who averaged a mediocre 37 in tests in 2008 goes on to become the best batsman across all formats by staggeringly improving his stats. But, AB clearly mentions very early into the book that cricket is a game beyond just stats and that stats don't always do justice. AB writes about the emotional aspect of playing the game, of the grit to fight it out in 46 degrees heat of Chennai or the chilling cold of Wellington which adds so much flavour to cricket as a sport.
Those who have watched AB only on highlights or only in last few years or only in IPL seem to have an opinion that AB was a born genius, a player cut from some different cloth. However, AB puts all such flattering notions to rest as he describes the process of how a player who averaged a mediocre 37 in tests in 2008 goes on to become the best batsman across all formats by staggeringly improving his stats. But, AB clearly mentions very early into the book that cricket is a game beyond just stats and that stats don't always do justice. AB writes about the emotional aspect of playing the game, of the grit to fight it out in 46 degrees heat of Chennai or the chilling cold of Wellington which adds so much flavour to cricket as a sport.
All in all, the autobiography brings out the human side of a batsman who has been described by cricket fans as a superhuman for his genius. Read the book and fall in love with this genius and if you love him already, read it and love him more. Get inspired because that is the underlying message- anyone can become the best in their field, all it takes is just a proper method and dedication.
Happy reading.
