After Ab de Villiers' induction into the ICC Hall of Fame, close friend and former Royal Challengers Bangalore teammate Virat Kohli writes a heartfelt letter praising his "freakish" talent. Kohli recalls a match in 2016 when de Villiers' unconventional slogging against Sunil Narine left him in awe and speaks of his ability to perform under pressure in red ball cricket. Despite being known for his exploits in limited overs cricket, de Villiers has also shown his grit and determination in saving Test matches for South Africa.
Virat Kohli Pens Heartfelt Tribute to AB de Villiers After ICC Hall of Fame Induction
Following AB de Villiers' induction into the prestigious ICC Hall of Fame, his Indian Premier League (IPL) teammate and close friend, Virat Kohli, has penned a heartfelt letter expressing his admiration for the South African legend.
Kohli's Letter
In his letter, Kohli lauded de Villiers' exceptional talent, recalling a memorable match in 2016 when he witnessed firsthand the batter's unorthodox yet brilliant counterattack against West Indies spinner Sunil Narine. Kohli also highlighted de Villiers' ability to perform under pressure in Test cricket, despite his reputation as a limited-overs specialist.
"I have had the privilege of witnessing some of his most extraordinary performances up close, and it has been an honor to share the dressing room with such a gifted player," wrote Kohli. "His ability to defy the laws of physics with the bat is truly freakish."
Kohli went on to describe de Villiers' unyielding determination and his ability to save Test matches for South Africa. He concluded his letter by expressing his belief that de Villiers' legacy will continue to inspire generations of cricketers.
Background
AB de Villiers announced his retirement from international cricket in May 2018. During his career, he was widely regarded as one of the greatest batters in the history of the game. Known for his aggressive style and innovative shots, he set numerous batting records and won several individual accolades.
De Villiers was a key member of the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) IPL team, where he played alongside Kohli from 2011 to 2021. The duo formed a formidable partnership and helped RCB reach multiple IPL finals.
Top 5 FAQs
1. What is the ICC Hall of Fame? The ICC Hall of Fame recognizes and celebrates the greatest players in the history of cricket who have made significant contributions to the sport.
2. What criteria are used to induct players into the ICC Hall of Fame? Players are eligible for induction into the Hall of Fame at least five years after their international retirement. They must have demonstrated exceptional skill, achieved outstanding results, and contributed to the growth of the game.
3. How many players have been inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame? As of September 2023, there are 97 players inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame, including AB de Villiers.
4. Why is AB de Villiers considered one of the greatest batters ever? De Villiers possessed a unique blend of power, elegance, and innovation. He was known for his remarkable ability to hit the ball to all parts of the ground with precision and ease.
5. What is Virat Kohli's relationship with AB de Villiers? Kohli and de Villiers were teammates at RCB for over a decade. They developed a close friendship and became known for their mutual respect and admiration for each other's exceptional talent.
In an insightful interview with OneFootball, Cole Palmer opened up about his thoughts on Chelsea's recent defeat against Bayern Munich in their Champions League match. The midfielder discussed the team's performance, taking responsibility for mistakes and also expressing his belief that they deserved more from the game. Despite their loss, Palmer's goal brought some consolation for the Blues, showing his determination and fighting spirit.
After Atlético Madrid's unexpected victory over Liverpool, manager Diego Simeone revealed that he was constantly insulted by the home fans throughout the match. Simeone's frustration reached a boiling point when he confronted the Liverpool fans following their winning goal, resulting in his dismissal from the game. New footage shows the altercation, shedding new light on the incident.
Liverpool once again show their attacking prowess and resilience as they secure a late, dramatic victory against Atletico Madrid. The Reds started strong, taking an early two goal lead, but Atleti fought back to level the score in the second half. However, Liverpool's winning mentality prevailed as they score a stoppage time winner to secure the three points. New signing Alexander Isak impresses in his first start for the club, with promising interplay and link-ups with fellow attackers.
Chelsea's new manager, Enzo Maresca, made headlines with his intense and controversial press conference following the team's 3-1 loss to Bayern Munich. Despite starting off calm, Maresca's emotions got the best of him and he received a booking that could have easily led to a red card. The incident left many wondering about Maresca's temper and how it might affect the team's performance in the future.
After a promising start, Chelsea suffered a 3-1 defeat to Bayern Munich in their first Champions League match of the season. Cole Palmer, who scored the only goal for Chelsea, expressed disappointment in the team's performance and felt they deserved more. Despite the loss, Palmer showed promise for future matches with his impressive performance.
Atletico Madrid came back from a 2-0 deficit to draw with Liverpool in a thrilling Champions League match at Anfield. Despite conceding two goals in the first six minutes, Atleti continued to fight and managed to score just before half-time, thanks to Marcos Llorente. The second half saw both teams battle it out, but with less than 10 minutes remaining, Llorente scored his second goal of the night to secure a draw for Atletico and ignite wild celebrations in the away end.
Vincent Kompany's impressive leadership and tactics have turned Bayern Munich into a top European contender again. In their recent UEFA Super Cup match against Chelsea, Bayern's new signing Michael Olise played a key role in their dominant victory. Neuer also added to his record-breaking career, while coach Kompany defined a new level of pressing against their opponents. After the game, the coaches expressed their pleasure with the team's performance, stating that it was a fun and intense game to watch. Despite facing a strong opponent in Chelsea, Bayern was able to remain focused and play at a high level.
England striker Harry Kane put on a scoring masterclass in Bayern Munich's 3-1 Champions League win against Chelsea. A penalty and a beautifully curled shot secured Kane a brace, while Michael Olise impressed for Bayern and Cole Palmer returned to the starting lineup to score a goal on his 100th appearance for Chelsea. The Blues' defensive mistakes proved costly as they were outplayed by Bayern's strategic gameplay.
Man City's Cole Palmer picks up an injury during the team's Champions League match against Bayern Munich. Manager Enzo Maresca claims that Palmer is "okay" despite being seen holding his groin at full time. Fans remain worried about the young player's condition.
Liverpool fans can expect to see new signing Alexander Isak make his debut in the Champions League match against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday, as he joined the squad for training ahead of the game. However, midfielder Curtis Jones will have to wait a little longer to make his return from injury, as he was absent from the training session. In a positive development, Alexis Mac Allister participated in the training session despite concerns over an ankle injury, while young talents Rio Ngumoha, Trey Nyoni and Jayden Danns were also spotted.