'Cocky and arrogant' - AB de Villiers reveals his first impression of Virat Kohli when he joined RCB in 2011
Kohli and De Villiers were involved in many memorable partnerships during the IPL.
Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers share a great bond as they’ve spent a lot of time playing together for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League. Over the years, the duo was involved in many memorable partnerships and enjoyed each other’s company not just on the field but off the field as well.
However, the first impression of the Indian star wasn’t too pleasing for De Villiers. The South African legend, recently, revealed that he didn’t like Virat Kohli during his first meeting with the star Indian batter and found him to be ‘cocky and arrogant.’
“Oh my goodness...I have had this question before and I had given this answer before as well. I think he was quite cocky and arrogant when I met him the first time. With that hairstyle and he had a bit of a strut going...yes flamboyant, absolutely,” said De Villiers in a chat with Chris Gayle on RCB’s official YouTube Channel.
The former South African captain further said that Kohli had a barrier around him during their first meeting and once it opened up, he got to know the former RCB skipper a bit better and began respecting him.
“But the minute I got to know him a bit better and watched him play I mean I've got as much respect for him but I got to know him better as a human being. I think he had a barrier around him when I met him the first time and that barrier opened up and I got to know the person. I didn't like him but you know what I'm saying. He's a top person now but the first impression was ufff...he's got to come down to earth a bit,” De Villiers said.
Watch the video here:
Kohli and De Villiers were one of the most formidable pairs to bat together in the history of IPL. The duo has five 100-plus partnerships together and two 200-plus partnerships in their IPL career. They further have the record of having the highest partnership in the history of the competition to their name as they ripped apart Gujarat Lions in the 2016 edition by adding 229 runs off just 97 balls for the second wicket.
AB de Villiers and Gayle inducted in RCB 'Hall of Fame'
Meanwhile, AB de Villiers and Chris Gayle were recently inducted into the RCB ‘Hall of Fame’ for their services to the franchise. De Villiers joined RCB in 2011 and continued to play for the franchise until his retirement in 2021, while Gayle played for the Bangalore-based franchise from 2011-2017, before moving to Punjab Kings in 2018.
The West Indian legend is the greatest batter ever to play in the IPL as he has several batting records under his belt. On the other hand, De Villiers is the sixth-highest run-scorer in the history of the tournament with 5162 runs to his name in 184 matches at an average of 39.70 and a strike rate of 151.68.
Having failed to win the IPL in their 15-year-long history, RCB will look to end their trophy drought in the upcoming season as they begin their campaign against Mumbai Indians on April 2, at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
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