Following the 52nd IPL 2025 match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK), AB de Villiers made fun of Virat Kohli’s detractors. Notably, in RCB’s close two-run victory over CSK, Kohli hit 62 off 33 balls with five fours and as many sixes. Since most of Kohli’s runs were through boundaries and his strike rate was an amazing 187.87, it was not his usual knock.
Former RCB player de Villiers, meanwhile, complimented Kohli as RCB’s “Mr. Safety”—someone a team can always count on—on Instagram, highlighting his strike rate against a top-tier bowling attack like CSK. The South African player said that when Kohli bats in the middle, there is no need to be afraid. He chastised the press and journalists for their criticism of Kohli’s strike rate.
“Virat is ever present. He is RCB’s Mr. Safety. You don’t need to be afraid while he is around. When Virat is around, don’t be afraid. That’s the tale. Nothing has ever changed, and I still remember what I want to say to all of you in the media. In a video posted to his Instagram account, de Villiers claimed, “I have the brain of an elephant.”
Last night, Virat batted with a strike rate of around 200. Consume that: AB De Villiers
After Kohli’s performance against CSK at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, his former teammate urged his fellow journalists to “eat” their remarks, despite Kohli’s declaration that he loved them.
“I adore all of my pals who are journalists. However, you did mention that Virat hits too slowly, don’t you? Last night, Virat batted with a strike rate of around 200. Virat’s detractors were told by de Villiers to “eat that.”
India
