AB de Villiers reveals what was his first impression of Virat
Feb 05, 2022
New Delhi [India], February 5 : Former South Africa batter Ab de Villiers revealed that his first impression of Virat Kohli was of a "cocky youngster".
De Villiers was a major part of Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) since 2011, under Virat's captaincy.
"We ran into each other few times before we properly met. I knew about him, he knew about me. I said it a few times that I thought he was a bit cocky when he was a youngster, so that was my initial impression. Even though I could see that he has got respect and the basics are in place, I felt like he has got a bit of swagger going in. So, I didn't hold it against him because you need it at that point of age. We had a really short discussion, I didn't give him any compliments or anything like that. But, I remember clearly at Wanderers when I got picked up by RCB, and it was nice discussion of looking forward to play together," said de Villiers on the RCB podcast.
"Once I got to Bangalore, we sort of the connection just kicked off straight away. Our proper friendship started when I started playing for RCB in 2011. That's probably when we started becoming good friends. I am kind of a guy where I don't really keep in touch but for some reason with Virat it just happens, so we stay in touch. It's easy as he is on telly (Television) the whole time when I am at home," he added.
The former Proteas batter further said that he wishes to see Virat as a South African cricketer as they both share many common basics.
"We both have a lot of basics in common. The way we play the game is quite similar. He is fighter and I sort of relate to the way he plays the game and another fighter in the team, would have great," said the Proteas batter.
Earlier in November, de Villiers had announced his retirement from all forms of cricket. He took calling time on his participation in all T20 leagues across the world. This followed his retirement from international cricket in May of 2018.
At 37 years of age, the icon ended his career with 9,424 T20 runs at a strike rate of 150.13 in 320 innings. He was not out 67 times, with four centuries, 69 fifties and a high score of 133 not out. He also took 230 catches and registered 18 stumpings.
