Virat Kohli better than AB de Villiers: Shane Warne
Australian legend and former spinner Shane Warne has decided that Virat Kohli is the best batsman in the world, even better the South African cricketer AB de Villiers. Kohli is enjoying the form of his life after hitting four centuries in this year’s rendition of the Indian Premier League. Prior to this, the Royal Challengers batsman had never hit a century in his IPL Career.
The Indian test skipper began the year 2016 in supreme fashion after having a successful Asia Cup and a somewhat successful T20 World Cup. He carried his sublime form to the IPL as well propelling his malfunctioning team who were seventh in the league to the second spot. He could not perform in the qualifier match against Gujarat Lions, although his team still managed to qualify for the finals thanks to a beautiful knock by AB de Villiers.
Virat Kohli shares an excellent relationship with his South African compatriot, often saying that AB is the better batsman of the two, which shows much respect the two share for each other. The two deadly batsman have quite the partnership, saving RCB for most of the season all by themselves.
De Villiers is a 360-degree player
Upon being asked who the better player is, Shane Warne said: "De Villiers is a 360-degree player. He plays reverses, the lapses and all those sort of things but hasn't really played too many of 'those' innings Virat Kohli has played.”
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Warne also feels that the South African tries to sometimes outsmart himself. "He outsmarts himself too much and tries too many unbelievable shots."
Kohli is determined
The former Australian spinner upon being asked about Kohli said: "Even the innings the other day (113 against King XI Punjab), there wasn't one reverse shot. There was nothing funky, there were just cricket shots. It needs an amazing amount of skill to do that consistently in T20 cricket."
He further added: "Kohli's determination and finding a way during crunch games just puts him ahead of de Villiers," he added.
Warne also spoke about the insane numbers that are against Kohli’s name by saying: "If you look at their records, Virat Kohli has done it, he has an average of more than 100 when chasing score, that's just insane to see that sort of numbers."
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"There is not much between them. But I think Virat Kohli just pips him."
Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers play either Gujarat Lions or Sunrisers Hyderabad in the finals on Sunday, after being the first finalists for the VIVO IPL 2016 after defeating Gujarat Lions in the first qualifier. RCB were 29 for 5 before de Villiers took matters in his own hands.