‘We will see the best of Virat’- AB de Villiers anticipates Virat Kohli to be at his aggressive best against South Africa

After a string of low scores for over two years, Virat Kohli is back into his mojo and scoring a flurry of runs. The recently concluded ODI World Cup was the testimony to Virat Kohli's return to form where he's churning runs for run. Although India lost the World Cup, AB de Villiers still believes that Virat will still be hungry enough to take on South Africa and score runs there as India hasn't yet managed to win a test series in South Africa.

De Villiers, in a video on his YouTube channel, expressed his excitement about witnessing the best of Virat Kohli in action. He emphasized Kohli's characteristics—chest out, eye contact, and being vocal with the opposition. According to de Villiers, Kohli will be thoroughly fired up for the two-Test series scheduled to commence on December 26.

The seasoned cricketer issued a caution to the Proteas, labelling the Indian Test team as 'world-class.' De Villiers stressed the need for South Africa to be careful when facing Kohli's formidable squad, underlining the challenges that lie ahead for the home team.

Opportunity for Kohli and Rohit

AB de Villiers drew parallels between India's recent World Cup 2023 final loss and South Africa's semifinal defeat in 2015. He pointed out the unique opportunity this series presents for both  Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, noting that they haven't won a Test series in South Africa. For them, it's a chance to prove their mettle in challenging conditions.

Reflecting on his personal experience, de Villiers shared insights into dealing with major defeats. Drawing a parallel between India's loss and his team's past experiences, he highlighted the emotional toll such events can take on players and how it can serve as a powerful motivator.

ABD also sheds light on the leadership dynamics within the Indian team, with Suryakumar Yadav captaining the T20I series and KL Rahul leading the team in the ODI series. The seasoned Rohit Sharma is set to helm the Indian team in the Test series against South Africa.