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'Absolute Number 1': Virat Kohli Pens Heartfelt Tribute To Hall Of Fame AB De Villiers

Virat Kohli gives tribute to AB de Villiers after his Hall of Fame induction (@ImTanujSingh/X.com)Virat Kohli gives tribute to AB de Villiers after his Hall of Fame induction (@ImTanujSingh/X.com)

Indian superstar, Virat Kohli praised AB de Villiers as the "most talented cricketer" he ever played with after de Villiers' recent induction into the ICC Hall of Fame. Kohli, who shared a close friendship and successful partnership with de Villiers during their time at Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the IPL, penned a heartfelt letter acknowledging the South African's unique impact on the game.

South African great AB de Villiers was recently inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame, recognising  his outstanding contribution to cricket as one of the game's all-time greats. His career spanned over a decade, during which he accumulated more than 20,000 runs across all formats. He became known for his versatility, holding a career average of over 50 in both Test and ODI formats, while also revolutionising T20 batting with his aggressive yet innovative style.

Virat Kohli congratulates his buddy AB de Villiers 

On the special occasion, his former RCB teammate and best friend, Virat Kohli, penned a note to pay tribute to the legend. Kohli highlighted de Villiers' extraordinary belief in his abilities, recalling instances where he demonstrated his skill, including a memorable 94-metre six off Sunil Narine in the 2016 IPL season despite struggling to pick the ball. 

Kohli also credited de Villiers for influencing his own mental approach to the game, especially his focus on constantly improving and staying positive, regardless of past performances. For Kohli, de Villiers' ability to impact the psyche of both opponents and spectators set him apart as one of the greatest cricketers ever.

Virat Kohli once recreated de Villiers' scoop shot

During India's tour of Australia in 2020, Virat Kohli executed a bold and surprising scoop shot in the second T20I at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Kohli's audacious shot not only fetched him six runs but also led fans to draw comparisons between him and his RCB teammate AB de Villiers. Following the game, Kohli admitted that he was surprised by his own shot selection and execution. In a light-hearted moment, he also mentioned his intention to text de Villiers for approval of the unorthodox stroke.