In the modern day of cricket , where Virat Kohli is considered to be the greatest player of the current era due to his pyrotechnics on and off the field, his availability for the upcoming mega event the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 has grown huge interests amongst cricket lovers and fans . Virat Kohli over the years have burdened Indian hopes on his shoulders through immaculate innings in the shortest format of the game will like to give his all in conquest of the elusive ICC title.
Though not playing T20I cricket over a year now the likes of Virat Kohli still remains a popular choice to play in shortest format. The other poster boy of Indian cricket who has carried India’s dream on his shoulder and an successful captain for his franchise in the Indian Premier league, current Indian captain Rohit Sharma is now brewing the headlines with a success on South Africa tour. After the African tour , the next big thing for Virat Kohli would be the 5 match test series versus England at home starting January 25,2024.
Virat Kohli who all through his life has been the strong advocate of red ball and Test cricket enhancing its importance to the skills he possess to counter the white ball challenges. This tour of England in own conditions could be a rise in Virat Kohli’s stature who has impressive record versus England at home is keen to make a mark in the upcoming tour has well.
Virat’s respect for all formats and his fitness regime to stay longing in the grueling schedule of matches , has impressed his former RCB teammate and best friend South African ‘s very own 360 degree batter AB De Villiers. AB De Villiers proudly boosts about his former RCB teammates commitment to all form of the games and his zeal to stay fit and continue playing for India.
“Virat grew up with cricket in his blood” – Mr 360 degree AB de Villiers hails Modern Master Virat Kohli for striking perfect balance in his career.
South African legend AB de Villiers praised Virat Kohli for his fire to play the game at a high level, crediting his ability to strike the ideal balance between his career and family as the former opted out from the 1st T20 international versus Afghanistan to be present for his daughters birthday.
While De Villiers retired from international cricket at 34 in 2018, Kohli continues to break records at will at the rightful age of 35. The former Indian skipper recently scaled the 50 ODI centuries mark in the 2023 World Cup semi-final.
Kohli also finished as the tournament’s leading run-scorer with a single edition record of 765 runs, overtaking Sachin Tendulkar’s 573-run tally in the 2003 World Cup.
Speaking to ANI News, De Villiers admired Kohli’s ability to keep the fire in his cricket going even at the latter stages of his career.
“Virat grew up with cricket in his blood. This is what kept him going. At the end of my career, my fire was burnt and I called it quits. It is important to keep that fire burning. He has found a nice balance in his career, has a family and spends time with them. I could have done this better. He looks happy on the field, looks motivated and I wish him all the luck,” said AB de Villiers,”
De Villiers played with Kohli at RCB for 11 years from 2011 to 2021, and when asked about his possible return to the franchise in some capacity, he said:
“I have not spoken to anyone, nor has anyone contacted me. If there is an offer on table, I will sign it as a friend, not as a coach or mentor. I would be happy to share my knowledge and experience with the players. Maybe down the line we will get a more professional role, but I am happy where I am,”
Ab De Villiers retired from the IPL after the 2021 season and is the sixth leading run-scorer with 5,162 runs in 184 games.
The 39-year-old scored his runs at a sensational average of 39.70 and a strike rate of almost 152 and was part of the RCB side that made final runs in 2011 and 2016.
“The gameplan was conservative from both teams on day one. It was wrong” – AB de Villiers on the recent Cape Town Test
Ab De Villiers feels the batters from India and South Africa took the conservative approach that resulted in 23 wickets on the opening day of the second Test at Cape Town.
“It was normal to me. Newlands is known for a lively day-one first session. If you fight your way through it, it gets easier. You have to play positive cricket here. Aiden Markram scored a century and those who played positively did well. The gameplan was conservative from both teams on day one. It was wrong. You have to take on the bowlers. If you let them bowl to you, it will be difficult to survive,” said AB de Villiers.
Despite a breathtaking century in the second innings from Aiden Markram , India had to chase only 79 in their final innings. The Rohit Sharma led side completed the task with seven wickets in hand to level the series at one apiece and would to keep up the winning momentum expecting the likes of Virat Kohli to perform to his best of abilities in the upcoming 5 match test series versus England to secure and solidify their position in the Top 2 of the World Test Championship table for the cycle 2023-25.