Former South African cricketer AB de Villiers has opened up about his bond with Virat Kohli while playing for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the IPL. The wicketkeeper-batter stated that they always looked for ways to outthink and dominate bowlers during his 11 seasons at the Bengaluru-based franchise.
Kohli and De Villiers formed one of the most destructive batting duos for the RCB team in IPL history. They had the ability to tear apart bowling lineups. The pair not only entertained fans but also built several record-breaking stands that elevated their partnership into something incredible and unforgettable.
We Played the Game in a Similar Way – AB de Villiers on Virat Kohli
Speaking on the Beard Before Wicket Podcast, AB de Villiers said that he and Kohli thrived on an aggressive yet calculated approach. De Villiers said that they stayed busy at the crease, ran hard between the wickets, and found ways to counterattack.
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“We played the game in a similar way. We are very busy at the crease, run hard, really look to get behind what the bowlers are trying to do, and find a way to attack the bowlers,” de Villiers said in the podcast.
During the podcast, host Nubaid Haroon compared Kohli and de Villiers to football icons Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, while England leg-spinner Adil Rashid compared them to Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) legends Khabib Nurmagomedov and Conor McGregor.
There Were Two Partnerships With Virat Kohli – AB de Villiers
AB de Villiers revealed his most memorable T20 partnerships with Virat Kohli. The first was a 229-run partnership against the Gujarat Lions in 2016. He then picked a 215-run stand against the Mumbai Indians. Both innings took place during day matches at iconic venues, Wankhede and Chinnaswamy.
De Villiers also cherished the experience of performing together in front of passionate crowds, which made these innings unforgettable in his T20 career.
“There were two partnerships with him, one at the Wankhede and one at the Chinnaswamy, both were day games.”
“Both of us were in the form of our lives. That always helps. I just love batting with him. He is very competitive like me, and we love taking bowlers down.”
“It was nice to have that experience with him in front of a loud crowd, it was incredible.”
AB De Villiers Scored 4,491 Runs for RCB in 156 Games
AB de Villiers had an IPL career of 14 seasons across two franchises. He started his IPL career with Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) in 2008, where he registered 671 runs in 28 matches over three years, including a century and three half-centuries.
However, he reached his peak after joining the Royal Challengers Bengaluru in 2011. Over the next decade, he became one of their biggest match-winners, scoring 4,491 runs in 156 appearances at a strike rate of close to 159, including 37 fifties and two centuries.
The batter played countless memorable knocks that cemented his status as a fan favorite. He announced his retirement from the IPL in 2021. De Villiers featured in 184 IPL games overall, scoring 5,162 runs at an average of just under 40, with three centuries and 40 fifties.
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