Known as Mr. 360° in the cricketing world, AB de Villiers has returned on the field to entertain his fans all around the world. The right-handed batsman debuted in Big Bash League (BBL) for Brisbane Heat.
Former Proteas cricketer played his first BBL game against Adelaide Strikers on Tuesday, where he scored 32-balls 40 with five boundaries. Apart from De Villiers, Matt Renshaw played a 52 run knock as well. The contribution from the duo helped Heat to thrash Strikers by seven wickets.
Before the match, De Villiers gave a short interview to cricket.com.au in which he was asked about three top batsmen that he has played with or against.
The 35-year-old took his former team-mate and captain of South African team Graeme Smith’s name. De Villiers said that Graeme played for the team, and he always wanted to make a big statement.
Indian captain and his partner in Royal Challengers Bangalore, Virat Kohli was De Villiers’ another pick. He rated Kohli in the same league as Graeme. ABD found both of them quite similar. He said that Kohli is the kind of person one should not mess with on the field.
The 35-year-old took former Australian skipper Steven Smith’s name as well. He said that Smith is an amazing character and quite a talented player.
“Very limited in his technique, but he finds a way just an amazing character,” said AB de Villiers about Steve Smith before adding: “Graeme Smith, there is something about the Smiths. Graeme Smith [was] n, not the flashiest players, but he played for the team and wanted to make a statement always. Virat Kohli is similar. The kind of guy you don’t talk on the field.”
The former South African captain also answered the best five bowlers he has faced in his career. He named the great Australian leg-spinner Shane Warne as the finest amongst all the bowlers that he encountered.
