Virat Kohli of Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) faced significant criticism for his performance during the first half of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season. With RCB losing 7 of their first 8 games, Kohli’s strike rate became a major talking point. Even cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar criticized Kohli for his perceived lack of intent, prompting a response from the RCB star. Now, AB de Villiers has weighed in, expressing his dismay at the harsh criticism aimed at Kohli.
During a conversation on Jio Cinema, De Villiers shared his thoughts on the situation, recalling his own experiences of playing with and against Kohli. He emphasized that criticism often brings out the best in Kohli and advised teammates to avoid provoking him.
“I thought it was really unfair for a hero and role model like Virat to face so much criticism. But knowing him, I was certain that criticism would only fuel his determination. I used to tell my teammates, ‘do not say a word to Virat on the pitch,’ because if you do, he will respond with a big century,” De Villiers told Hindustan Times.
“Perhaps the criticism was a blessing in disguise, as it motivates him greatly,” he added.
Discussing Kohli’s role in the T20 World Cup, De Villiers countered the popular opinion, suggesting that Kohli should not open the innings with Rohit Sharma but should remain at the №3 spot.
“I believe Virat is most impactful at number three. He acts like the captain of the batting unit, maintaining calm and composure. Though Virat enjoys opening, I feel it’s risky to ask him to take on the game in the early overs. I prefer him to bat between overs 4 and 16–17, where he is unmatched,” the former South African captain stated.
De Villiers concluded by saying, “In my ideal team, he would bat at number three. His experience and understanding of the game make him most effective in that position.”
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