{
  "id": 18310962,
  "title": "AB de Villiers' heartwarming birthday message for Virat Kohli, calls him \"my Biscotti\"",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/05/ab-de-villiers-heartwarming-birthday-message-for-virat-kohli-calls",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-05T12:34:22.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Gulf News",
    "slug": "gulf-news",
    "url": "https://gulfnews.com/sport/ab-de-villiers-heartwarming-birthday-message-for-virat-kohli-calls-him-my-biscotti-1.500737227"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Dubai: AB de Villiers extended a heartfelt birthday greeting to Virat Kohli, reminiscing about their close bond as former Royal Challengers Bengaluru teammates in the Indian Premier League. Kohli, who turned 38 on Thursday, received a social media post from de Villiers, in which he wrote, \"Happy birthday, my Biscotti!\" \"So many memories, battles, and special moments together. Wishing you another great year ahead. Keep doing what you do best!\" The nickname \"Biscotti\" holds special significance between the two, as Kohli adopted it from South African slang, using it as a term of endearment for someone close. De Villiers, in turn, fondly acknowledged Kohli's greatness and expressed his hopes for a successful IPL 2025. The friendship between the two blossomed during their time together at RCB, from 2011 to 2021, where they formed numerous memorable partnerships, contributing to the team's batting lineup. De Villiers retired from cricket in 2021, but their connection has remained strong, with mutual respect evident in public messages and reunions. The birthday exchange serves as a reminder of a friendship that transcended the cricket field, showcasing the enduring nature of their relationship.",
  "summary": "Dubai: AB de Villiers has shared a warm birthday message for Virat Kohli, bringing back memories of the close friendship the two former Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) teammates built during their time together in the IPL. Kohli turned 38 on Thursday, and the South African great marked the occasion with a post on social media, recalling the many moments they shared on and off the field. “Happy…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}