Get Instant News Updates
Enable
x
Notification Settings X
Time Settings
Done
Clear Notification X
Do you want to clear all the notifications from your inbox?
Settings X
For Quick Alerts
ALLOW NOTIFICATIONS  
For Daily Alerts
 

AB de Villiers likens Virat Kohli to Roger Federer, Steve Smith to Rafael Nadal

De Villiers says Kohli's natural talent makes him a cricketing equivalent of Roger Federer, while Smith's mental fortitude matches that of Rafael Nadal.

Steve Smith and Virat Kohli

Bengaluru, May 12: South African star AB de Villiers compares the two present-day greats India skipper Virat Kohli and Australia batsman Steve Smith to tennis greats.

De Villiers says Kohli's natural talent makes him a cricketing equivalent of Roger Federer, while Smith's mental fortitude matches that of Rafael Nadal.

In an instagram chat with former Zimbabwe seamer Pommie Mbangwa, De Villiers spoke about the two batsmen, who are easily the game's biggest crowd-pullers right now.

"It's a difficult one, but Virat is definitely the more natural ball-striker, there's no doubt about that," de Villiers said during his interaction on 'Sports Hurricane'.

"In tennis terms, I'd say he's more like a (Roger) Federer whereas Smith is like a (Rafael) Nadal. Smith is mentally very strong and figures out a way of scoring runs - he doesn't look natural, but he ends up writing records and doing amazing things at the crease.

"I think mentally, Smith is one of the best I have ever seen. Virat has also scored runs all over the world and won games under pressure," de Villiers said.

Virat Kohli-Anushka Sharma voted cutest couple, Ravindra Jadeja pips Hardik Pandya as coolest all-rounder in online pollVirat Kohli-Anushka Sharma voted cutest couple, Ravindra Jadeja pips Hardik Pandya as coolest all-rounder in online poll

De Villiers also felt that when it comes to chasing, Kohli is a shade ahead of Indian icon Sachin Tendulkar.

"Sachin is a role model for both of us (him and Kohli). The way he stood out in his era, the things he achieved and with the grace he did all that is a great example for everyone," de Villiers said.

"And I think Virat will also say that he set the standards for us to follow.

"But personally, in a chase, I'd say Virat is the best I''ve seen in my life. Sachin was amazing in all formats and all situations, but Virat comes out on top while chasing."

The world knows Kohli as a prolific cricketer but for de Villiers, he is a friend, who has interests beyond cricket and is spiritual at one level.

How an angry Virat Kohli responded to Kesrick Williams' sledgingHow an angry Virat Kohli responded to Kesrick Williams' sledging

"He's much deeper than just a cricket player...I think most people realise after a while that there's more to life than just cricket," de Villiers said.

"...Virat's always been a thinker, he experiments (with) a lot of things, he loves trying new things out - gym wise, what he puts in his mouth. He thinks a lot about life after life - what's to come, the different religions, we talk about everything."

De Villiers also revealed that he shares a great bond with Indian captain's actor wife Anushka Sharma, conversing on a lot of issues including family life.

"We go pretty deep and his missus as well, Anushka, we have very deep conversations, which is fantastic. We talk about children and family. We're waiting for that first little Kohli to come.

"It's a good friendship and we always find a way to talk about cricket as well, but 90 per cent of the time we talk about other stuff. It's refreshing and in the middle of a very intense IPL tournament," he shared.

Virat Kohli absolutely loves to play in the IPLVirat Kohli absolutely loves to play in the IPL

While Kohli said he absolutely loves playing in the IPL, for de Villiers, the cash-rich league is not just a tournament but also about friendships that he cherishes.

"Obviously, when it comes to the IPL in India, it's been more than friendship," De Villiers said, when asked who his best friends in cricket are.

"Virat obviously - not only during the IPL, we chat throughout the year, which means it's different than just the IPL or cricketing friendship."

Story first published: Tuesday, May 12, 2020, 10:49 [IST]
Other articles published on May 12, 2020