Both made centuries and added 248 runs together in 2016 IPL match against Gujarat Lions.
Fast friends and RCB teammates AB de Villiers and Virat Kohli got together for a session of Instagram Live. It was filled with memories, chats about first meeting one another, and of course the ongoing pandemic of Coronavirus.
In order to raise funds for the fight against this deadly virus, which has claimed 193,227 lives and has infected 2,67,484 people this far, the duo has decided to auction off some memorabilia that they hold dearest to themselves.
AB de Villiers, before the chat, had asked Kohli to find the bat he used during the 'Green' match in IPL 2016 against Gujarat Lions, in which both scored centuries and the Proteas legend will auction his shirt signed by Kohli, his bat, and Kohli's bat and gloves.
The proceeds from the auction will help 'put food on the plates of the needy' during the Covid-19 pandemic, de Villiers said.
"We have had a few good knocks together, I will never forget that. There is one particular knock I can remember, the one against Gujarat Lions in 2016," AB de Villiers told Virat Kohli. Both of them had added 248 runs together.
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"The partnership was an enjoyable one. If I can remember correctly, I got 120-odd and you also got your hundred right at the end where I gave you the strike. That doesn't happen every day where 2 batsmen get hundreds in the same game. That was also the green game where we did our part to raise awareness about the environment. Then I was thinking we could make a difference. That's why I told you to get hold of that bat. I know you keep your bats, I also do that,” De Villiers further said.
“From that particular match, I have the green shirt as well. I remember I got you to sign the shirt, I have also signed the shirt. I have got the shirt and my bat and I am going to get hold of your bat and the gloves. The plan is to get on an online auction platform. I know there are a lot of collectors around the world that wouldn't mind your bat, I will throw it mine as well," he added.
Virat Kohli called this idea a great gesture and said, "That's amazing the fact that you also share a part of it for India. Quite an amazing gesture. I got the stuff that you asked from me.”
De Villiers mentioned that the proceeds from the auction will be shared 50:50 to be used in both India and South Africa.