5 facts about AB de Villiers you probably did not know

For cricket enthusiasts who grew up with the phenomenon called AB de Villiers, it feels like only yesterday when a 20-your-old lad stepped in Port Elizabeth for his nation for a Test match against England. Though South Africa lost that match, de Villiers had a highly illustrious cricket career that lasted a little lesser than 14 years.

The Pretorian is only 34-years-old now and is fit enough to give the budding youngsters a lesson or two about fielding, but he has decided to call curtains to his international cricket career. There's a famous Aaron Eckhart quote which says "You either die a hero or live long enough to become the villain." AB de Villiers is not someone we would like to see fit into the latter role, and hence he has decided to put an end to what has been a fascinating ride filled with ups and downs while he is still being treated as a hero. Let us have a look at 5 facts you probably did not know about AB de Villiers:

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#5 Not a jack, but a master of all trades

AB de Villiers was equally good in sports and studies

We all know that AB de Villiers could have played many other sports and yet possess the prowess that he does in cricket. While cricket was lucky to have him brace the sport and not football, tennis, hockey or rugby, de Villiers was equally brilliant in academics.

The boy who won a prestigious award from the Late Nelson Mandela for a science project initially wanted to become a doctor and devoted his full attention to his medical studies before destiny decided to step in.

#4 Known for his honesty, he falsified the rumors that glorify him

Though he was a superb athlete, there are many false rumors about AbD

Not many people are honest enough to falsify rumors that glorify them, but AB de Villiers should not be compared with the majority. There are many rumors circulating on the internet which says de Villiers was shortlisted for the national hockey squad, played professional football, was a superb badminton player at school and represented his country at an age-level rugby competition.

In his autobiography, he mentioned that though he used to play hockey, getting selected for the national squad was a distant dream. About the rumors about football, he said he used to play football with his classmates only for fun and never took part in any professional level competition.

#3 AB de Villiers is a firm believer in God

AB de Villiers is a Christian

This might not be known to many, but AB de Villiers is a firm believer in God. He practices Christianity and considers all his achievement and extraordinary records as the result of not his brilliance but that of the plans made by almighty, which he mentions in his autobiography as " I would really like people to appreciate that whatever glory there may need to be clearly recognized as his glory, not mine."

In his words, he tries very hard to be "receptive" to the teachings of Bible. He also mentioned two incidents in his autobiography where God spoke directly to him, one in 1995 and the other in 2009.

#2 The exceptionally fit cricketer is a foodie

AB de Villiers is one of the fittest cricketers in world cricket

Looking at his fitness level and his agility on the field, one would make a fool of himself if he tries to predict de Villiers' age. The 34-year-old 'youngster' recently took a one-handed stunner in the Indian Premier League which left the cricketing world awestruck. However, he is also a foodie.

Pasta and seafood are something de Villiers finds hard to resist and keeps flirting with his otherwise strict diet. Alongside that, he loves to drink red wine. However, he sweats it all out in the gym and hence you cannot make out his lust for food from his well-built physique.

#1 The part-time singer has a taste for music

de Villiers likes to jam in his spare time

The Manchester United loyalist likes to jam in his spare time. In 2010, he released his first album titled 'Maak Jou Drome Waar' which also features his friend Ampie Du Preez. Besides that, he has sung on multiple occasions, clips of which can be found on YouTube.

He has got a taste for music and the Irish alternative rock band 'Snow Patrol' is his favorite band. Snow Patrol's roster is headed by Gary Lightbody and have won multiple awards. Thier famous song 'chasing cars' won the song of the decade award on a programme hosted by Channel 4.