Image: AB de Villiers, the South African cricket legend, celebrates his 41st birthday / © The Sportsrush
Ahead of the 41st birthday of AB de Villiers on February 17, 2025, the legendary South African cricketer’s strong bond with Virat Kohli has been highlighted. The two played multiple seasons together for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the IPL, where they became close friends. Their first meeting occurred in Johannesburg when they exchanged brief greetings, with both players later admitting they did not immediately trust each other. Over time, their camaraderie grew, and they formed one of the most successful partnerships in IPL history. In 2016, they set the record for the highest partnership in IPL, scoring 229 runs in a match against Gujarat Lions.
De Villiers also supported Kohli when he stepped down as RCB captain in 2021, defending his decision as one that would help Kohli focus on his performance. Kohli, in turn, often praised de Villiers for his immense talent, even writing an emotional letter when de Villiers was inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame. Their relationship has not only been professional but deeply personal, with de Villiers offering Kohli crucial advice on staying focused, which helped Kohli regain his momentum in T20 cricket.