In a heartwarming letter to former South African cricket player Ab de Villiers after his induction into the ICC Hall of Fame, Indian batting superstar Virat Kohli revealed that de Villiers was the most talented cricketer he has shared the dressing room with. Kohli ignored his own Indian team captain Rohit Sharma and legendary Sachin Tendulkar to pick de Villiers, who retired from international cricket in 2018, finishing with impressive stats in all three formats of the game.
Virat Kohli Hails Ab de Villiers as Most Talented Cricketer
Indian cricket icon Virat Kohli has sent shockwaves through the cricketing world by declaring former South African player Ab de Villiers as the most talented cricketer he has ever shared a dressing room with.
Background
Kohli's glowing tribute came in a heartfelt letter to de Villiers after the latter's induction into the prestigious ICC Hall of Fame. The Indian superstar's bold statement ignited debate and discussion among fans and experts.
Kohli's Remarks
In his letter, Kohli wrote: "In my journey, I have shared the dressing room with some of the most talented cricketers of our generation. But, there is only one cricketer who I believe stood head and shoulders above the rest, and that is Ab de Villiers."
Kohli went on to praise de Villiers' exceptional skill set, describing him as a "360-degree cricketer" who had "the ability to do things with the bat that no one else could do."
Notable Exclusions
Conspicuously absent from Kohli's list of the most talented cricketers was his own Indian team captain, Rohit Sharma. Sharma is widely regarded as one of the greatest batsmen of the modern era, having scored over 10,000 runs in both Test and One-Day Internationals.
Another notable exclusion was legendary Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar. Considered by many as the greatest batsman of all time, Tendulkar retired from international cricket in 2013 after a glorious 24-year career.
Top 5 FAQs
1. Why did Kohli choose de Villiers over Sharma and Tendulkar? Kohli has not publicly stated his reasons for choosing de Villiers over Sharma and Tendulkar. However, it is possible that he was impressed by de Villiers' unique ability to dominate all formats of the game and change matches single-handedly.
2. Does Sharma or Tendulkar hold a grudge against Kohli? There is no evidence to suggest that Sharma or Tendulkar holds any animosity towards Kohli. Both players have expressed their respect and admiration for the Indian captain's achievements.
3. Will de Villiers' induction into the Hall of Fame boost his legacy? Without a doubt, de Villiers' induction into the ICC Hall of Fame is a testament to his exceptional talent and contributions to the game. It further solidifies his status as one of the greatest cricketers of all time.
4. What is the significance of Kohli's tribute to de Villiers? Kohli's tribute is a testament to the high regard in which he holds de Villiers as a cricketer. It also highlights the close bond and mutual respect between the two players.
5. Will Kohli's comments reignite the debate about the greatest cricketer? Kohli's bold statement is likely to fuel the ongoing debate about who is the greatest cricketer of all time. It opens up discussions about the different qualities and achievements that make a player truly exceptional.
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