‘Virat was quite cocky and arrogant’- AB de Villiers makes shocking revelations on his first meeting with Virat Kohli

During the duration of his brilliant career, former India captain Virat Kohli has developed not only as a modern-era legend in cricket but also as an individual person. And a lot of the latter, as he himself acknowledged numerous times, contributed to his rising popularity in international cricket and the virtually complete disappearance of his earlier self. 

But, AB de Villiers, who shared a dressing room with Virat Kohli when playing for Indian T20 League team, Bangalore, can still clearly recall his initial impression of the talented Indian batter and it surely wasn’t a pleasing one at all.

What was De Villiers’ first impression about Virat Kohli?

While talking to Chris Gayle for a video, the former South African skipper spoke about his impression about Virat Kohli. He said,

“Oh my goodness…I have had this question before and I had given this answer before as well. I think he was quite cocky and arrogant when I met him the first time. With that hairstyle he had a bit of a strut going.” 

The right-handed batter spoke about how Kohli gained his respect, later on. De Villiers added that,

“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. I think he 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 not like him but you know what I’m saying. He’s a top person now but my first impression was ufff…he’s got to come down to earth a bit.”

With numerous century stands, Kohli and De Villiers during the duration of their Bangalore careers created one of the most fearsome T20 batting pairs. Gayle in the starting lineup made Bangalore a formidable force. Afterwards, Gayle left the franchise in 2018, while De Villiers declared his retirement from the sport in 2021. Although, he is no longer the team’s captain, Kohli is still a part of the franchise as a formidable batter.