When AB de Villiers Felt He Was Overpaid by the RCB Management!

Even after carrying the RCB Team and being the player who has the most MOTM awards in the IPL, AB de Villiers still felt that he was overpaid. Let’s discover the full story.

Why Did AB de Villiers Feel He Was Overpaid by RCB?

In the Indian Premier League (IPL) auctions, teams often pay huge sums to secure top players, chasing the dream of building a championship-winning squad. In the IPL 2025 Auction, Lucknow Super Giants broke the bank, signing Rishabh Pant for a whopping INR 27 Crore, setting a new record. Similarly, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) went all out for star all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer, pushing their bid to INR 23.50 Crore in a heated battle with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), Iyer’s former team. But KKR won the bid at INR 23.75 Crore. Surprisingly, this loss turned out to be a game-changer for RCB.

Instead of sinking a massive portion of their budget into one player, RCB played it smart. They used the money to make strategic signings, bringing in Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood for INR 12.50 Crore and England’s fiery opener Phil Salt for INR 11.50 Crore. These two became the backbone of RCB’s campaign, playing starring roles in the team’s historic first IPL title win after 18 long seasons of trying. On top of that, RCB added depth to their squad with smart buys like Jitesh Sharma and Bhuvneshwar Kumar on the second day of the auction. These players brought balance and firepower, making RCB a well-rounded unit.

Meanwhile, Venkatesh Iyer, despite his hefty price tag, struggled at KKR. He scored just 142 runs in 11 innings, falling short of expectations. RCB’s decision to miss out on him proved to be a blessing in disguise, as their balanced approach paid off with a championship trophy. To this, in a candid chat with former India cricketer Abhinav Mukund, AB shared a rare perspective on his own IPL journey. He admitted that during his playing days with RCB, he felt overpaid. He said:

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. 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.

It wasn’t a complaint but a reflection from the heart. AB explained that the massive salary he earned could have been used to sign two or more quality players who might have strengthened the team further. His humility stood out, showing his deep care for the team’s success over personal gains. Abhinav Mukund praised AB’s self-awareness, noting how rare it is for a cricketing superstar to think this way. He further stated:

In hindsight, they must be thinking, thank God we didn’t go all the way from 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. So, it was a very clear plan that they wanted to buy all of these players.

He pointed out that RCB’s 2025 auction strategy was a perfect example of smart planning. By spreading their budget across multiple impactful players instead of betting it all on one, RCB built a squad that was greater than the sum of its parts. Hazlewood’s deadly bowling and Salt’s aggressive starts, combined with the contributions of Sharma and Kumar, proved Mukund’s point.

AB de Villiers’ Record for RCB in the IPL

After being bought by Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the 2011 IPL auction for INR 5 Crore, AB de Villiers began a remarkable journey that made him a legend in the tournament. The South African superstar quickly became the heart of RCB’s batting lineup with his explosive style and ability to turn games single-handedly. Over 11 seasons, he played 184 matches, scoring 5,162 runs at an impressive average of 39.71 and a strike rate of 151.69. His career with RCB included three centuries, 40 fifties, 413 fours, and 251 sixes, showcasing his flair for big shots.

In 2011, AB’s first season, he scored 312 runs at a strike rate of 128.39, proving his worth immediately. His value grew, and by 2014, RCB retained him for INR 9.5 Crore, reflecting his growing stature. The 2015 season saw him at his peak, smashing 513 runs, including a stunning 133 not out, at a strike rate of 175.08. In 2016, he was unstoppable, hammering 687 runs with a century and six fifties, cementing his status as one of the IPL’s greatest. Even in 2017, despite playing only nine matches due to injury, he managed 216 runs.

RCB recognized his importance and retained him again in 2018 for INR 11 Crore. That year, he delivered 480 runs at a strike rate of 174.54, with six fifties. His consistency continued in 2019 and 2020, scoring 442 and 454 runs respectively, with multiple fifties and a knack for finishing games. In 2021, his final IPL season before retiring, he added 313 runs, ending his RCB career on a high note. Beyond batting, AB was a brilliant fielder, taking 118 catches and effecting eight stumpings, often keeping wickets with agility. AB’s ability to adapt was key. He could anchor innings or explode with aggressive stroke play, making him a nightmare for bowlers.