AB humbled ahead of 100th Test

De Villiers will join Jacques Kallis, Graeme Smith, Mark Boucher, Shaun Pollock, Gary Kirsten and Makhaya Ntini as South Africa's Test cricket centurions.

The enigmatic De Villiers goes into the match as the number one ranked Test batsman -  a fitting title considering the occasion. 

The ODI captain will no doubt feel the pressure to deliver this weekend but he shied away from making too much of a big deal of the milestone.

"I'm in a very fortunate position and I'm very humbled still being here ten years later about to play my 100th Test match. I've never been a guy to harp too much on stats, records and milestones but I've been around for a while and I feel very blessed," De Villiers said.

"Like I said I don't spend too much time on my achievements but it is still special in my mind and I think one day I will look back on the memories, accolades and awards and so on. But for now, it's a matter of focusing on winning the game, getting back in the series and squaring up with India. We know we are up against it here in India, it's not easy but it's a great challenge for us and hopefully we'll make it one-all. That's where my focus is at, not really on the 100," the 31-year-old said.

There is no doubt that De Villiers would have preferred to celebrate his century of Tests in South Africa but he is essentially doing it at his home away from home - as he played Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League last season and is somewhat of a local hero in the Southern Indian city.

"To be honest, I really didn't mind where I was going to play in my 100th Test. I was supposed to do it in Bangladesh but my little one was born then. It happened this way that it ended up being in Bangalore so looking back it worked out the way it should have. I'm very happy to be playing in Bangalore, it's a special place, I play here in the IPL - they call it the Garden City. I have fond memories of playing in the IPL here and it's great to return for my 100th Test."

As he prepares for his landmark Test, De Villiers took stock of his 11-year Test career.

"A lot of days of standing in the sun, early mornings, a lot of net sessions and warm ups - great memories. I think of so many great Test series wins, especially away from home," De Villiers reminisced. "I've made good friendships, good memories and being part of an amazing culture that is bigger than any individual is something I will protect with everything I have while I am here and hopefully I will look back proudly at being a part of something so special."

The second Test gets underway at 06h00 on Saturday morning - South African time.

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