There are few overseas cricketers who have won the hearts of the Indian public in the same manner as South Africa’s legendary cricketer Ab de Villiers. de Villiers was an individual who received warm receptions while walking onto the crease at almost every ground. The same happened not just when he played in the Indian Premier League (IPL) but also for the South Africa cricket team against India. 

de Villiers and India in a special love story and it is only fitting that one of the most memorable moments of his personal life came in India. The dynamic batter had proposed to his wife Danielle Swart at the iconic Taj Mahal back in 2012 when he was in the country for the IPL. 

Remembering the special occasion, de Villiers expressed a regret he had from the day but called it an unbelievable trip. “I have a regret – my dress code that day. I look back and feel like – what was I wearing? What kind of jeans are that? It’s like these light, patchy jeans with a big bottom. I still have the shirt. My wife wouldn’t let me get rid of it, so I use it as pyjamas nowadays,” he said on the RCB podcast. 

“I planned it way in advance. I thought there’s no more romantic spot than the Taj Mahal. It took a bit of planning. We had a big win the night before and I remember celebrating till 2-3 am. It was a bit of a tonk the next day. We were exhausted when we flew to Delhi. But it was an unbelievable trip,” added the former South African captain. 

de Villiers and Danielle got married a year later in the South African town of Bela-Bela. The couple is blessed with three kids which included two sons and one daughter. 

After playing for the Delhi Capitals from 2008 to 2010, de Villiers spent a decade at the Royal Challengers Bangalore and is the franchisee’s second-highest run-scorer in history. He announced his retirement from all forms of cricket after the 2021 IPL and will not be part of the upcoming IPL mega auction.