The bromance between Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) teammates Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers is for one and all to see.
The mutual respect between two batting extraordinaires for their respective countries is a well-established phenomenon by now.
Kohli and De Villiers have been superstars in the batting heavy-lineup at RCB since 2011 when the two shared the same dressing then. Ever since, they have developed a remarkable relationship, as witnessed during the recent Instagram session between the two.
Earlier, the Protea batting maestro enjoyed a brief stint at Delhi Daredevils (DD), now Delhi Capitals. Since his move to RCB, de Villiers has notched up several marathon partnerships with Kohli.
The two highest partnerships in IPL history belong to the two RCB talismans, who stitched 229 against Gujarat Lions and 215* against Mumbai Indians.
Further, Kohli has been fortunate to rub shoulders with South African greats Jacques Kallis and Mark Boucher, during the initial seasons of IPL.
AB recalled about Boucher putting in a few good words back then, before joining RCB, after initially not being sure about him.
“It’s an interesting story, it’s a very human thing to do when you hear about someone for a few years, I had heard a lot about you from Mark Boucher. I think you were 18-19 when you started playing for RCB and Boucher would tell me about you. I had known you for three years but had never met you,” De Villiers told Kohli.
“It’s a human thing to sort of put a bit of defence around you. I remember walking up that tunnel, I remember saying ‘Hi’ but the defences were on like I don’t quite trust this guy yet, I’ve heard a lot about him, I’ve seen the hair, I’ve seen the style but I’m not convinced,” AB continued.
“But it didn’t take you long to get to know you better, to see the humane side in you. Luckily a lot of people have seen that humane side of yours because of what you’ve achieved. If that didn’t happen, I don’t think a lot of people would’ve got to enjoy the humane side of yours. That’s why we’ve got a lot of respect for you because of what you’ve achieved,” concluded the South African.
