Winning IPL with RCB would be perfect finishing touch to Virat Kohli’s amazing career: AB De Villiers

Virat Kohli’s career would be perfectly complemented by winning an IPL championship with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), according to former South Africa player AB de Villiers.

A member of the select few who have played for the same club from the tournament’s start, Kohli has been a constant in the team since its first installment. In 244 innings, Kohli amassed an incredible 8004 runs at an average of 38.66 and a strike rate of 131.97, including a record 55 half-centuries and eight hundreds, becoming him the IPL’s all-time top scorer.

During his stint at the IPL as a member of the RCB, De Villiers and Kohli developed one of the most enduring and powerful partnerships.

He believed that winning an IPL title would be the icing on the cake for Kohli’s unparalleled record in the competition. “He plays the situation and does whatever the team needs him to do,” de Villiers said, dismissing criticism of Kohli’s strike rate.

It was completely absurd how closely Virat’s strike rate was scrutinised: AB De Villiers

It was utterly absurd to scrutinise Virat’s strike rate. He had fulfilled the exact task that his team required of him. The situation is the key. He may explore and play more freely when he has someone he can trust on the other end. When that isn’t the case, however, he sticks to his strengths and anchors the innings when necessary, de Villiers stated on JioHotstar.

His willingness to take new shots, venture outside of his comfort zone, and experiment with different facets of his game is admirable. He has always had that talent. The significance it holds for him is evident. For his already outstanding career, winning the IPL with RCB would be the ideal capstone. Last season, he was superb. The issue wasn’t his strike rate; he was exactly what his team needed him to be. For the Delhi Capitals, Virat was responsible for keeping the innings together, unlike Fraser McGurk. Since he was instrumental in RCB’s qualification, he is deserving of all the praise,” he continued.

Former South Africa captain Graeme Smith, who co-panelled with Scott Styris de Villiers, also offered his thoughts on the subject of Kohli’s strike rate, which was never a problem during the power play. He declared: “Virat’s strike rate from the previous season was the subject of unwarranted criticism. It was a huge responsibility for him to carry RCB’s batting lineup all by himself, especially when those around him weren’t performing up to par.

“During the power-play, Kohli’s strike rate was never a problem,” said former New Zealand cricketer Scott Styris. When the difficulty arose, he had to change tactics and become more assertive.

Shane Watson, the former all-rounder for Australia, also expressed his opinion, saying, “He knew that if he doesn’t increase his scoring rate, if he doesn’t allow himself more freedom at the crease instead of playing it safe, he risks being left behind in the modern T20 game.”