Virat Kohli shared a heartfelt message for his close friend AB de Villiers following his induction into the ICC Hall of Fame on 16th October. Kohli called AB the most talented cricketer he’s played with, praising his 360-degree batting style and game-changing impact.
Virat Kohli’s Tribute to AB de Villiers
Further, Virat Kohli emphasized that this honor was a true reflection of AB’s contributions to the sport, highlighting his remarkable records, including the fastest men’s ODI century and his consistency across formats.
“You are thoroughly deserving of your place – after all, the Hall of Fame is a representation of your impact on the game, and yours has been truly unique. People have always spoken about your ability, and rightly so.
“You are the most talented cricketer I have played with, the absolute number one. You had a crazy amount of belief that you could execute whatever you wanted to on a cricket field, and you normally did. That is why you ended up being so special.”
Virat Kohli Recalls Iconic Moments with AB de Villiers:
In the letter, Virat Kohli recounted an incident where, despite struggling with a lack of self-belief, AB de Villiers remained resolute for the team, boldly attacking Sunil Narine, a bowler against whom he had previously found it difficult to score. He added:
“We were chasing 184 (for RCB in 2016) against an attack including Sunil Narine, Morne Morkel, Andre Russell and Shakib Al Hasan. You came in to join me with around 70 on the board and Narine was bowling.
“You played and missed a couple and told me during a timeout that you weren’t picking him too well. I felt I was, so I remember telling you to give me the strike and I would try and hit boundaries off him.
“In the first over, Narine bowled after the timeout; I was ready at the non-striker’s end, thinking you were giving me a single. So, imagine my surprise when you back away to the leg side, Sunil follows you and you slog sweep him over square leg for a 94-metre six!
“If I have a lack of belief against someone, I’d just try and get off strike – but you hit him for a 94-metre six without picking the ball. That sums you up. You could just do things our minds were not ready to process, and then everyone thinks ‘How the hell did that happen?’”
The letter from Virat Kohli further emphasized the immense toughness of AB de Villiers as a player. He recalled AB’s remarkable innings in Delhi, where he faced 297 balls to help save the Test match. Kohli elaborated:
“You were always completely in tune with the needs of the team, which made you one of the hardest players to make plans for when we were on opposing sides in international cricket.
“Everyone remembers your attacking shots but you would adapt to the situation. Take 2015, in Delhi, when you faced 297 balls and made 43 trying to save the Test match.
“There must have been a temptation at some stage to think ‘, I’ve faced 200 balls; I need to hit a boundary’. But once you locked yourself into what the situation required, you just kept going on and on.
“It all comes back to that belief in your ability. It wasn’t just about the crazy, extravagant shots. You could defend the ball and had belief in that defence. To play that way because South Africa needed you to do so is a classic example of the team player you were.
“A lot of players can have impressive numbers but very few have an impact on the psyche of those watching. For me, that is the highest value you can have as a cricketer and that is what makes you so special. Your drive to want to be the guy to win the game for your team was tremendous and something I learned a lot from,”
Virat Kohli also spoke about the valuable lessons he has learned from AB de Villiers. He mentioned how AB’s exceptional numbers and performances profoundly impacted the mindset of those watching the game, making him truly special.
“I remember taking from you that it doesn’t matter what you have done in the last four games, it is about how you approach the game today. It is about always being positive, always taking the game on and finding a way to get the job done. A lot of players can have impressive numbers but very few have an impact on the psyche of those watching. For me, that is the highest value you can have as a cricketer and that is what makes you so special.”
Virat Kohli further expressed that there is no cricketer more deserving than AB de Villiers to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. He concluded by referring to him as one of the greatest players to ever play the game, stating:
“You are in the Hall of Fame for the impact you have left on the game and I don’t think there is anything more special for a cricketer than to have that honour. You are one of the greatest players to ever play the game.”
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