Former India skipper Virat Kohli has gradually grown into a great cricketer of modern era. Over the years, he has learnt many lessons on his way to be matured as a cricketer and human being.
Mr 360 degree batsman and South African great AB de Villiers, who shared the dressing room with Kohli for IPL franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore, still distinctly remembers his first impression of the star India batter. It was certainly not a pleasant experience for AB.
“When I met the ex-RCB skipper Kohli first in 2011, I found him to be ‘cocky and arrogant’. I felt he’s got to come down to the earth a little bit,” said AB during his conversation with another former explosive RCB cricketer Chris Gayle on the franchise’s YouTube channel.
Subsequently, Gayle was left in splits before hinting that he wasn’t really fond of the India batter around that time too
“I think Kohli was quite cocky and arrogant when I met him the first time. With that hairstyle and he had bit of a strut going...yes flamboyant, absolutely. But the minute I got to know him a bit better and watched him play I mean I’ve got as much respect for him but I got to know him better as a human being,” the former Proteas captain said.
“I think Kohli had a barrier around him when I met him the first time and that barrier opened up and I got to know the person. I didn’t like him but you know what I’m saying. He is a top person now but first impression was ufff...he has got to come down to earth a little bit,” he added.
Notably, De Villiers and Gayle are the most fearsome batters in T20 cricket across the globe.