AB de Villiers Admits He Was Overpaid in IPL Career

Former Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) star AB de Villiers recently made a stunning admission after RCB lifted their maiden IPL 2025 title. During a chat with former India cricketer-turned-broadcaster Abhinav Mukund, de Villiers confessed that he felt “overpaid” during his IPL career. The admission came as a surprise, given his legendary status in the league and his immense contributions to RCB over the years.

In a candid conversation with Mukund, de Villiers revealed a side of him that not many fans or players might have expected. Mukund shared, “I was sitting next to AB de Villiers and he told me something that I don’t think any legend in the IPL has said. But he genuinely meant it; he said it from a place of emotion. He said, ‘I was overpaid.’”

AB de Villiers’ Honest Admission

The South African legend went on to explain why he felt this way, reflecting on the financial structure and the dynamics of team-building in the IPL. “I’m overpaid, I thought I was overpaid because I feel like all of the other elements that you’re talking about, right? Where you’re able to buy so many other superstar players, all those match-winners you’re talking about. The highest amount of money that they spent on was for someone like a Phil Salt or Josh Hazlewood. They didn’t cross 15 (Rs 15 crore),” de Villiers revealed.

This remark sheds light on the often-discussed issue of how much money is spent on star players and whether it always translates into value for the team. De Villiers, who played for RCB for 11 years, was retained by the franchise for Rs 7.50 crore in 2014 and Rs 11 crore in 2018. Despite his massive popularity and contributions to RCB, de Villiers humbly reflected on how other players were bought for significantly lower prices while still having a major impact on the team.

RCB’s Smart Auction Strategy in IPL 2025

One of the most interesting parts of the conversation involved RCB’s strategy during the IPL 2025 auction. While RCB did not go beyond Rs 12.50 crore on any player, they made some smart buys. Mukund pointed out that RCB’s decision to not pursue Venkatesh Iyer, who was bought by Kolkata Knight Riders for Rs 23.75 crore, proved to be a blessing in disguise. Iyer, who was expected to perform big, failed to impress and only scored 142 runs in 11 matches.

In hindsight, Mukund added, “In hindsight, they must be thinking, thank God we didn’t go all the way for Venkatesh Iyer. Because their last losing bid was Venkatesh Iyer. And the next three buys were Josh Hazlewood, Jitesh Sharma, and I think Phil Salt. Those were the next three buys. And they saved so much in the bank for day two when Bhuvneshwar Kumar came in.”

This smart spending allowed RCB to secure key players like Hazlewood, Sharma, and Salt, who went on to play crucial roles in the team’s IPL 2025 triumph.

The Legacy of AB de Villiers in IPL

AB de Villiers may have retired from the IPL, but his legacy with RCB is cemented. Over the years, he has been a match-winner, a fan favorite, and a key contributor to the franchise’s success. While de Villiers’ self-reflection about being overpaid might surprise some, it also shows the humility of a player who truly cared about the team’s success over individual accolades.

RCB’s IPL 2025 title marked the culmination of years of hard work and perseverance, and while de Villiers may not have been with them on the field during their triumph, his impact on the franchise is undeniable. Fans will forever remember his incredible performances, his unorthodox style, and his contributions that shaped RCB into a team capable of winning the IPL.