Virat Kohli is a more reliable batsman than me, together we are a nice combo: AB de Villiers

AB de Villiers, the former South African batsman, has heaped praises on Indian skipper Virat Kohli. Since 2011, the duo has also played for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and has shared some match-winning partnerships. In fact, Kohli and De Villiers share the top-two stands of 229 and 215* against Gujarat Lions and four-time champions Mumbai Indians.

Even as Virat Kohli is the all-time leading run-scorer in the IPL, notching 5412 runs, De Villiers isn’t far behind either. They are two of the reasons why the Challengers have a massive fan-base despite the team, not winning the title even once. The 36-year-old ABD said that he prefers to take on the opposition bowling from the outset to push the bowlers on the backfoot.

Virat Kohli is the one you want to bat for 15 overs: De Villiers

“We take on different bowlers. I personally like to attack a little earlier, not to show weakness early on. I am earlier to the trigger. I want the bowlers to feel early on that it will be trouble if I’m allowed to bat for 5 overs,” De Villiers was quoted as saying to Harsha Bhogle on Cricbuzz.

De Villiers also mentioned that Kohli can be relied upon more as the latter has the potential to bat for the chunk of an innings. The retired Proteas batter feels that they share a great camaraderie on the field which he thoroughly enjoys.

“Virat is a more reliable batsman. He’s the one you want to bat for 15 overs. I am better in a way I could change the game quicker, have an injection that could swing the game. So together we are a nice combo,” he added.

De Villiers’ attacking instinct can be comprehended from the fact that he has a strike-rate of 151.23. But taking the aggressive route hasn’t impacted his consistency as he has scored 4,395 runs from 154 IPL matches at an average of 39.95.

He started his IPL career with the Delhi Daredevils, now Capitals, and even scored century for them. However, the team let him go and RCB secured his services in 2011. From there on, De Villiers has been an integral member of the Challengers.