Former South Africa captain: AB de Villiers says Bengaluru will always hold a special place in his heart, describing the city as one that changed his life and gave him a connection with fans unlike anything he’s experienced before.Speaking on The Times of India’s Bombay Sports Exchange podcast, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru legend reflected on his 11-year association with the franchise, saying the affection he received from the fans fulfilled a childhood dream.“Bengaluru is closest to my heart and will always remain so,” said de Villiers. “This is the city that changed my life, so it will always have a special place in my heart.”De Villiers joined RCB in 2011 after spending three seasons with the Delhi franchise and quickly became one of the IPL:the most loved players. Partner: Virat Kohli:he formed one of the most iconic batting partnerships in the league, earning an enduring place in the hearts of Bengaluru supporters despite the franchise’s long wait for its first IPL title.Recalling his early days with RCB, de Villiers said he felt at home almost immediately.“Bengaluru is a very special city. It has had a huge impact on my life. When I joined RCB in 2011, I immediately felt at home.The 41-year-old recalled the first time he heard the crowd at the Chinnaswamy Stadium chanting his name, saying it took him back to his childhood.“Hearing them sing my name was one of those moments I dreamed of as a kid,” he said.“When I was six or seven years old, I used to hit tennis balls around the garage imagining myself playing in front of a lot of people.”“The first time people in Bengaluru started chanting my name, it was like a light bulb was switched on. I thought, ‘This is exactly what I’ve been dreaming of.'”According to de Villiers, that emotional bond was formed almost immediately and has only grown over the years.“That connection with Bengaluru was immediate. The connection with India as a whole developed further in the following years, especially around 2015 and 2016. But Bengaluru is where it all started.”Few overseas cricketers have enjoyed the kind of adulation that de Villiers continues to receive in India, with RCB supporters still celebrating him years after his retirement from the IPL.When asked what makes Indian fans so connected to him, the former South Africa captain admitted that he doesn’t fully understand it.“Honestly, I don’t understand it at all. All I know is that it’s amazing,” he said.“India has a deep love for cricket and for competition. I think people appreciate players who compete with love and true joy.“Maybe that’s what people connect with. Maybe they also appreciate someone who always tries to stay positive.”While he can’t fully explain the relationship, de Villiers says it remains one of the best gifts of his career.“However it happened, I’m just thankful,” he said. “The connection I share with the people of Bengaluru, and India in general, is something I will always cherish.”