Indian cricket star Virat Kohli praised former South African captain AB de Villiers as “the most talented cricketer” he’s ever played with, following de Villiers’ induction into the ICC Hall of Fame.
De Villiers joins Alastair Cook and Neetu David in the class of 2024.
Debuting in 2004, de Villiers achieved remarkable success, amassing over 20,000 international runs and earning the nickname “Mr. 360” for his explosive, inventive batting. His unbeaten 278 against Pakistan remains South Africa’s highest individual Test score, and he holds the record for the fastest men’s ODI century.
Known for his all-around abilities, he also matched the Test record for most dismissals in a match with 11 catches in 2013.
Reflecting on their time at Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Kohli shared a heartfelt tribute to his former teammate, “You are thoroughly deserving of your place – the Hall of Fame is a testament to your unique impact on the game. You’re the most talented cricketer I have played with, the absolute number one.”
Kohli highlighted de Villiers’ confidence on the field, adding, “You had an incredible belief in your ability to execute whatever you wanted on the cricket field, and you normally did. That’s why you were so special.”
Recalling their partnership, Kohli wrote, “You always knew what the team needed, making you one of the toughest opponents to plan against in international cricket.”