‘It’s my opinion’: De Villiers hits back after Kohli-Sachin comparison backlash
AB de Villiers elaborated on his recent remarks regarding the batting styles of Virat Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar. He stated that his comments centered on their ability to adjust their play, especially in foreign conditions. De Villiers appreciated Tendulkar for laying the groundwork for subcontinental cricket, while he praised Kohli for pushing those boundaries further, despite acknowledging…
AB de Villiers has clarified his recent comments comparing Virat Kohli to Sachin Tendulkar after his assessment sparked backlash on social media. The South African cricket legend had earlier stated that Kohli was better than Tendulkar in seam-friendly overseas conditions, while also praising Tendulkar for being the first Indian player to succeed consistently in challenging conditions outside Asia. His comments caused confusion and criticism, leading him to explain his perspective on the matter.
De Villiers stated that his remarks were merely his opinion and not intended to disparage anyone. He acknowledged that Tendulkar was the first to elevate Indian batting, inspiring future generations, and that Kohli demonstrated a different style by performing well on the short ball. Though Kohli's overseas statistics were not as impressive as Tendulkar's, De Villiers believed that stats alone couldn't determine how he assessed a player.
The cricketer emphasized that Kohli had shown adaptability, fitness, and the all-round game needed to succeed abroad and inspired a new generation of cricketers. De Villiers' clarification aimed to provide context to his original comments, highlighting that his assessment was based on Kohli's approach, adaptability, and influence rather than just his statistics.
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