AB de Villiers’ Bold Call: Virat Kohli Not Included in His Top 5 Cricketers List

Former South Africa and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) star AB de Villiers recently shared his personal list of the top five cricketers of all time, and it surprised many fans when he left out his good friend and former RCB teammate Virat Kohli. The duo shared many memorable moments together during their years at RCB, forming one of the most formidable batting partnerships in IPL history. Despite their close friendship and countless on-field successes, de Villiers explained his reasoning for selecting Sachin Tendulkar over Kohli and even issued an apology to Virat after fellow cricketer Adil Rashid jokingly reminded him of the omission. The 41-year-old legend also discussed why he considered Jacques Kallis, Mohammad Asif, Shane Warne, and Andrew Flintoff unique, sharing personal anecdotes of facing them during his illustrious career.

On the Beard Before Wicket podcast, de Villiers revealed that his top five cricketers are Jacques Kallis, Andrew Flintoff, Mohammad Asif, Shane Warne, and Sachin Tendulkar. He explained that watching Sachin bat was a special experience — whenever Tendulkar walked out to bat, it felt as though everything on the field paused, and the crowd’s reaction was electrifying. Reflecting on his decision, de Villiers said, “Virat, sorry, Sachin. That’s why these questions are so hard to answer.” His comment highlighted the difficulty of ranking players he deeply respects and has played alongside.

De Villiers elaborated on the individual strengths of each player in his list. He described Jacques Kallis as “probably the best all-rounder, or even the best cricketer ever,” praising his ability to impact matches with both bat and ball. Mohammad Asif, according to de Villiers, was the toughest fast bowler he faced, presenting challenges that tested his technique and patience. When discussing Shane Warne, de Villiers admitted he enjoyed playing against the legendary spinner, appreciating Warne’s unique style — the floppy hat, zinc cream, and blonde hair added to his charisma. He also praised Andrew Flintoff, recalling his ability to perform in big matches and singling out the unforgettable yorker Flintoff bowled to Kallis at Edgbaston, calling it the best delivery he had ever seen.

AB de Villiers himself is widely regarded as a cricketing legend. He ended his 14-year international career with impressive statistics, averaging 50.66 in Tests and 53.50 in ODIs, having played 114 Tests and 228 ODIs for South Africa. In the Indian Premier League, he became one of RCB’s most successful players, featuring in 156 matches and forming a vital partnership with Virat Kohli that strengthened the Bengaluru-based franchise. His versatility, consistency, and ability to innovate at the crease made him a fan favorite and a feared opponent for bowlers worldwide.

Recently, de Villiers captained the South Africa Champions team in the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025, where he once again displayed his remarkable skill and leadership. Under his captaincy, he scored 429 runs in six innings at an astonishing strike rate of 220, finishing as the tournament’s top run-scorer. His exceptional performance guided the South African team to victory in the championship, culminating in a win over a strong Pakistan Legends side in the final. This achievement further cemented de Villiers’ reputation as one of the most complete cricketers of his generation, showcasing his enduring talent and ability to inspire teams both on and off the field.

Through his reflections on past greats and his own continued success, AB de Villiers remains a benchmark for excellence in cricket, combining skill, sportsmanship, and leadership in ways few players have managed. His recent comments on his top five cricketers, though surprising to some, offer a fascinating insight into the mind of a player who has experienced cricket at its very highest levels.