Virat Kohli one of the best to ever play cricket: AB de Villiers | Cricket News

Virat Kohli one of the best to ever play cricket: AB de Villiers | Cricket News

NEW DELHI: Former South African cricketer AB de Villiers praised India and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) batsman Virat Kohli, calling him one of the greatest players in history.In IPL 2024, Kohli is the second-highest run scorer. He played in ten matches and amassed 500 runs at a strike rate of 147.49. In the current T20 tournament, he hit 20 sixes and 46 fours.IPL ORANGE CAP | IPL PURPLE CAP | IPL POINTS TABLEWhile speaking on his official YouTube channel, De Villiers said he is fed up with seeing “data-driven pundits” criticizing Kohli’s strike rate.The legendary Indian batsman was praised by the former Proteas cricket player, who called him “incredible” at the IPL.“Virat Kohli, catching criticism about his strike rate. It’s been going on for way too long and I am sort of fed up with that now. I’m frustrated to say the least. This guy is one of the best players to ever play the game of cricket. He’s incredible in the IPL, he plays a certain role for RCB, and I’ve pretty much had enough of data-driven pundits who keep criticising this man. When you don’t really have knowledge of the game. How many games of cricket have you played, how many IPL hundreds have you scored?,” De Villiers said.In the last game between RCB and GT, Kohli made an impression with his blistering 70*. He was a major factor in Bengaluru’s victory and dismissed the recent discussion regarding his strike rate.During the game, ‘chase master’ Virat Kohli achieved a landmark feat during RCB’s clash against GT.Kohli now stands second in the list after his undefeated performance of 70 runs off 44 balls, struck at a strike rate of 159.09. Kohli achieved 24 half-centuries when chasing a target. Dhawan, with 23 scores of fifty or above, is in third position. While chasing a target, David Warner holds the top spot with 35 half-centuries.The 35-year-old also tied David Warner’s record for the most IPL seasons with 500 or more runs. In an IPL season, Warner and Kohli have both scored 500 runs or more seven times.(With ANI inputs)

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'When I met him...': Shubman Gill recalls his first meeting with Virat Kohli - Watch

‘When I met him…’: Shubman Gill recalls his first meeting with Virat Kohli – Watch

NEW DELHI: If Virat Kohli is called the ‘King’ then Shubman Gill is referred to as the ‘Prince’ of Indian cricket.Gill has been earmarked to succeed Kohli as the batting mainstay of Team India and he himself has gone on record to looking up to Kohli and getting inspiration from the former Indian captain.But Gill and Kohli would be on the opposite sides when Gujarat Titans take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Sunday and ahead of the match, the host broadcaster shared a video where Gill talks about his first meeting with Kohli.Gill says, “When I spoke to him for the first time when I went to New Zealand, there he told me every time a new kid comes, people say he needs a couple of chances, he needs some innings to get through but I think if you are good and capable then you can start from your first innings, you can score a 100 in your first innings. And you come to know how one looks at life.”“So I came to know what kind of a person he is and I really liked it. So what he told me was that if you a new kid comes on the block, in the Indian team, all say that he should get some chances, he should get some innings, he will get set after that only. But he said that he saw that capability in me and you have to give it your 100% , rest we will see what happens,” Gill adds. With 4 wins and 5 defeats, Gujarat Titans are at the seventh spot in the points table while RCB are at the bottom.

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'Please stop wearing that shirt immediately': AB de Villiers asks RCB's 'bad omen' | Cricket News

‘Please stop wearing that shirt immediately’: AB de Villiers asks RCB’s ‘bad omen’ | Cricket News

NEW DELHI: Former South African and Royal Challengers Bengaluru cricketer AB de Villiers has requested former New Zealand and Chennai Super Kings all-rounder Scott Styris to stop wearing the RCB jersey. The Bengaluru-based franchise has been struggling in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 season, with only two points from seven games, placing them at the bottom of the table. Styris, who has been seen sporting the RCB jersey on match days, is now considered a bad omen for the team. In response to Styris’ post, De Villiers commented, “Please stop wearing that shirt immediately!!!!” Styris, however, has thrown down the gauntlet to De Villiers, declaring that he will stop wearing the RCB shirt for the team’s upcoming matches if the South African legend agrees to wear a Chennai Super Kings shirt once. The former New Zealand all-rounder stated, “I said I would wear the shirt. It has been a bad omen. I am a bad mascot for RCB, which is pleasing from my perspective. So I am prepared to put out a challenge back to AB de Villiers because he says it’s time for me to stop wearing the shirt. I will stop wearing the shirt for RCB matches moving forward if De Villiers wears the CSK shirt once. He is coming back for The Insiders (Jio Cinema’s programme) for the last week of the playoffs.” Former England captain Eoin Morgan, who was part of the show, agreed with Styris that the counter-challenge to De Villiers was ‘fair’.RCB’s latest setback came against Sunrisers Hyderabad, who set a new IPL record for the highest total, amassing 287-3 on Monday. The match also witnessed the highest aggregate for a T20 game, with a combined total of 549 runs. ALSO SEE: IPL 2024 POINTS TABLEDespite valiant efforts from Virat Kohli, Faf du Plessis, and Dinesh Karthik, RCB fell short by 25 runs, resulting in their sixth defeat of the season.

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Watch - 'And then you die and...': Virat Kohli on sticking to RCB despite multiple offers | Cricket News

Watch – ‘And then you die and…’: Virat Kohli on sticking to RCB despite multiple offers | Cricket News

NEW DELHI: Virat Kohli and Royal Challengers Bengaluru are synonymous to each other in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Virat has played for RCB since IPL’s inaugural season in 2008 and stuck to it.IPL ORANGE CAP | IPL PURPLE CAP | IPL POINTS TABLEVirat has been the captain of RCB for several seasons, bringing his aggressive and passionate style of leadership to the team. Under his captaincy, RCB has seen both highs and lows, including reaching the IPL finals in 2016.But Kohli has stuck with the team even though RCB still haven’t won the IPL trophy.In a viral video, Kohli explains in a podcast what RCB means to him and why he has not joined any other team.The host asks, “Virat I know you love RCB just as much as RCB loves you. Even for a moment, for a second, while playing this IPL, have you ever wondered is the grass greener on the other side?”Virat answers, “To be very honest I have thought about it, yes I won’t shy away from it and I’ve been approached many times as well to come into the auction somehow, put my name in there and stuff. And then I thought about it I was like at the end of the day everyone has X number of years they live right and then you die and then life moves on. And there would have been many great people who want trophies and this that blah blah blah but no one addresses you in the room like “Oh he’s an IPL champion” or “he’s a World Cup champion”. “And it’s like if you’re a good person, people like you and if you’re a bad guy, they stay away from you and eventually that’s what life is all about so for me the understanding that the loyalty with RCB is like how I follow my life is far greater for me than the fact that yes five people in the room would say, “Oh finally you’ve won the IPL with whoever XYZ and yeah you feel good for five minutes but then the sixth minute you could be miserable with some other issue in life, so it is not the end of the world for me,” Kohli adds.Kohli goes on to say, “What this franchise (RCB) has given me in terms of opportunity in the first three years and believed in me, that is the most special thing because as I said there were many teams who had the opportunity but they didn’t back me, they didn’t believe in me so now when I’m successful and I should fall to the opinion of people saying “but the IPL”. This was the case with me till 2018 England tour happened. For four years of my life I was doing well everywhere in the world, the only thing was but “England”. So there’s always going to be buts, you literally can’t live your life like that and I just carry on my own thing and I actually honestly don’t even bother about a third person beyond myself, Anushka discussing things and just being true to ourselves. And that’s it for me, nothing else and no one else’s opinion matters at all.” Overall, Virat Kohli’s journey with RCB has been marked by exceptional batting displays, leadership challenges, and a strong connection with the team’s fan base, making him a central figure in the franchise’s history.Despite Kohli’s individual brilliance, RCB has often struggled to clinch the IPL title. They have reached the playoffs on multiple occasions but have faced challenges in converting those opportunities into championships.Unlike many other players who have switched teams over the years, Kohli has remained loyal to RCB throughout his IPL career. His commitment to the franchise has made him a beloved figure among RCB fans.Kohli’s personal achievements, including multiple centuries and accolades like the Orange Cap, highlight his impact on the team.

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