Ace India batter Virat Kohli turned 34 on Saturday (5) and as he celebrated the occasion in Australia where he is currently playing the T20 World Cup, former South Africa captain AB de Villiers came up with a special message for his former teammate in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
De Villiers, who played alongside Kohli for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the IPL and is expected to rejoin the franchise as a support staff member for the 2023 season, said while Kohli is "one hell of a cricket player", he is a "much better human being".
“I hope you’re doing well. I’m currently in Bangalore. Um, it’s quite ironic cause I’m sending you a message just to wish you a happy birthday on 5th of November. I hope you have a fantastic day. You are one hell of a cricket player, but you are a much better human being. Thank you very much for your friendship. Thanks for being a great teammate and just a great man. Happy birthday. All the best for the World Cup to you and the whole India team. I really hope you go all the way and have fun. Maybe find South Africa the final it will be very entertaining. Happy birthday, have a great day, and I’m thinking of you," De Villiers said in a video shared by Royal Challengers Bangalore on their Twitter account.
De Villiers, one of the most destructive batters cricket has seen, is currently in Bengaluru ahead of the IPL auction in December for the upcoming season. The 38-year-old quit the marquee Indian T20 league at the end of the 2021 season. He had played a number of memorable knocks for the RCB under Kohli's captaincy and also alongside him.
Wishes poured in for Kohli from across the world and some Indian journalists gave him a pleasant birthday surprise with a small party and a greeting card at the Melbourne Cricket Ground while he was returning from a practice session on Saturday.
Kohli is in a great touch in the ongoing World Cup with three unbeaten fifties in two matches and is averaging 220. On Sunday (6), he will represent India in a crucial clash against Zimbabwe that the Men in Blue have to win to confirm a place in the semi-finals.
The ace India batter became the highest scorer in T20 World Cup in the match against Bangladesh in Adelaide on Wednesday (2) when he eclipsed former Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardena and is also among the top three scorers of this edition.
On Thursday (3), Kohli earned a nomination for the ICC Men’s Player of the Month Award for the very first time.
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