Former South Africa skipper and Royal Challengers Bengaluru legend AB de Villiers has censured Virat Kohli’s critics, who troll the 36-year-old for his strike rate in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. Both De Villiers and Kohli were teammates in RCB for 10 years from 2011 to 2021. Taking to his Instagram account, the Protea commended former Bengaluru captain’s sensational form for RCB in the ongoing marquee T20 competition and also called him ‘Mr Safety' for RCB. He also took Kohli’s critics to the cleaners, citing the 36-year-old’s brilliant strike rate against Chennai Super Kings (CSK), at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on May 3.
Releasing a clip through his Instagram account, De Villiers remarked, "Virat is always there. He is Mr. Safety for RCB. When he is there, you don't have to fear. Never fear when Virat is near. That is the story. Nothing has ever changed, and what I want to tell all of you media people, I haven't forgotten. I have the brain of an elephant. To all my journalist friends out there, I love you guys. But remember when you said Virat bats too slow, right? Virat is there batting at almost a 200 strike rate last night. Eat that."
Virat Kohli hit back at his critics with his rapid 62 against CSK on May 3
In the contest between RCB and CSK on May 3, Virat Kohli looked in excellent touch with his bat while opening the innings for the IPL 2016 runners-up. His batting effort of 62 off just 33 helped Bengaluru to gain a swift start in the match. Riding on his knock, Challengers posted a colossal total of 213/5 on the board.
The veteran’s sensational batting display was a stern reply to his critics who constantly criticise him for his strike rate. Kohli is currently the highest run-scorer in IPL, notching up 505 runs in 11 matches at a fine strike rate of 143.46.
