Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers | Twitter
AB de Villiers is a fan of Virat Kohli's captaincy skills. He has loved playing under Kohli for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in Indian Premier League. De Villiers also accepted that Virat has evolved a lot since he is watching him closely.
Lauding the Indian skipper, he said, "he leads by example and his teammates follow him. Virat is a fantastic captain. We're friends, I have seen him grow from strength to strength in the last few years and there's no doubt that he's a great captain. I really enjoyed playing under him, he leads by example and his teammates follow him. So, I'm expecting a lot of success for him and his team in the next few years."
Indian cricket team had a poor outing in Tests in England recently. But De Villiers isn't doubting their quality. "Every batsman in the world goes through phases, no matter who you are, and the minute you fail everyone goes like 'but he was just exposed, oh wait, it's in England so okay he's bad in England conditions'. The Indian batting line-up is one of the best in the world if not the best so they didn't play so well collectively in England and now everyone's suddenly saying that they can't play in England, they should be dropped and whatever. That's the nature of sport and I have had 15 years of that.
"The minute I fail people go like 'alright, why has he failed? Probably because of the wicket and he probably can't play on that kind of wicket. So I can't play spin or I can't play seam, which is quite funny.
"There is nothing wrong with the Indian batting line-up, believe me. They are all match-winners, they are incredibly talented, gifted players. Whether they are backed by people above them or by the media, that's a different beast but there's no doubt they can all be no.1 players in the world," he further told India today.in on the sidelines of an event in New Delhi.
De Villiers left fans disappointed with his disheartening decision to hang up his boots in international cricket. Talking about his decision, he said pressure played a big role.
"Yes, part of, a big part of it. It's not really pressure, it's nonsense. People always see the best of me and not behind closed doors. Some of what is said gets to you and some stupid comments do bother you. Personally, I always have this fear of embarrassing myself. All that traveling 12 months a year and the time away from family, it gets to you. I try to give time to the fans and to the media but it's not always possible. But I have had good 14-15 years in cricket."
De Villiers kept pushing himself during his time with Proteas. Famously known as 'Mr.360' also added that he had the self-belief which helped him make a name for himself in the top level of cricket.
"You don't say it often but like most guys on the pinnacle, you do believe you're the best and can produce miracles. I have always had that inner belief and luckily, I have managed to do some cool stuff on the field and I have enjoyed my cricket.
"I will always miss it [international cricket]. It has taught me everything but for me, the end was perfect, it may not be for the others but I liked it. I have two young boys at home and I want to spend time with them. And then I am still available to play in the league. So, I get to stay with my family and still play cricket all over the world."
Captaining helped De Villiers become a better player. "Captaining was tough and initially it was difficult to man-manage. But somehow, it improved my performance, that extra pressure, it helped me find my feet. With captaincy, it is about getting the best from your players and getting everyone in the right system. The support system you have during captaincy is very important," he said.
The former South African cricketer revealed he never wanted to come back to India again after his first visit. But things changed dramatically. Now he feels connected with India. "I have no idea [how I got so much adulation in India]. It is very humbling the way I've been accepted here. I remember it was a culture shock to me the first time I came here as a 19-year-old. It was that Christmas, New Year time and I was missing my family and we were staying somewhere around Faridabad.
"As a 19-year-old, I thought I didn't want to come back but then over the year, I began to love this country, the people, the culture. When I walked on to bat and heard the crowd chanting, I went like 'is that my name that I'm hearing'? I was shocked at first but then I started to thrive under that love and cheer.
"I have a very healthy friendship with Virat. We don't talk about it but there's a really good competitiveness between us where both of us want to be better than each other and that helps. It is certainly a lifelong friendship and there have been some great moments between us on the field."
De Villiers gives India a good chance for the upcoming World Cup. "In the World Cup, India have a good chance. They have some really good wrist spinners who are getting wickets around the world. They previously won the Champions Trophy when no one though a subcontinent side to win it in England and then this time Pakistan, another subcontinent team, won the Champions Trophy. Also, England and Australia are always favorites."
The explosive batsman has no doubt about the survival of Test cricket. "I'm not sure [how Test cricket will be taken forward]. I personally believe it's the ultimate format and I have seen incredible things happening in Tests. I really hope the people who are responsible find a way and hopefully, there's a way for both [Tests and T20s] to survive."
If not cricket then what? De Villiers answered, "Rafael Nadal [perfect sportsperson] when he is at his best, that fierceness is what I like. I always feel Federer does not have the kind of fire I see in Nadal and Djokovic. I'm more of a Nadal and Djokovic-kind of a guy. Also Tiger Woods because of the kind of comeback he has had.
"I have always had this affinity towards learning so if not cricket, medicine."
(WITH INDIA TODAY INPUTS)
