AB de Villiers gets personal as he shares verdict on Sachin Tendulkar vs Virat Kohli debate
Published - 03 Aug 2025, 03:19 PM | Updated - 03 Aug 2025, 11:39 PM
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Just hours after stealing the spotlight with a sensational century in the World Championship of Legends 2025 (WCL 2025) Final, AB de Villiers made headlines again with his bold and heartfelt take on one of cricket’s most intense comparisons, between Virat Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar.
Recently, AB de Villiers guided the South Africa Champions to the WCL 2025 title. Amidst the tournament, the legendary South African batter shared his thoughts on the debate on Shubhankar Mishra’s podcast, proving why everyone respects him both on and off the field.
AB de Villiers breaks the silence on the Virat Kohli vs Sachin Tendulkar debate
The Proteas great didn’t give a clear answer, as he stressed that comparing two icons from different eras is impossible, but mentioned Kohli’s incredible ability to shine across all formats and Tendulkar’s dominance in his era, where patience and endurance made legends.
Read Also: AB de Villiers hints at IPL comeback for RCB after WCL title
AB de Villiers said on Shubhankar Mishra’s podcast, “Is there any comparison? You can't compare different generations. Impossible to compare. Both were absolutely outstanding in their generation during the era.”
De Villiers hailed how Sachin Tendulkar ruled during a time when cricket was all about resilience and survival in the longest format of the game.
AB de Villiers hails Sachin Tendulkar’s grace and Virat Kohli’s fire
On the other hand, he highlighted Kohli’s ability to adapt and thrive across all formats in the modern era’s high-pressure and fast-paced game demands.
The former South Africa captain also acknowledged how Tendulkar was the dream for every '90s kid and how Kohli, with his unmatched intensity and consistency, became the face of the modern era, not just in Tests, but also in white-ball cricket.
De Villiers further noted, “I have a lot of respect for Sachin. He is down-to-earth, and I sort of looked up to him. Virat's more my friend. So very difficult. I think Virat was an all-format great player. Sachin may be in the longer format.”
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AB de Villiers names Jasprit Bumrah as one of the toughest bowlers he’s faced
Meanwhile, AB de Villiers recently admitted that Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah was one of the toughest bowlers he ever faced in his career. The South African legend recalled facing Bumrah at his peak and called him one of the greatest he has ever played against.
The Proteas great signed off by saying, “He is one of the greatest bowlers I have ever played against. He never troubled me too much, but I faced him at his peak.”
AB de Villiers’ heroics guide South Africa to WCL 2025 glory
Notably, De Villiers was on fire in the World Championship of Legends 2025, leading the South Africa Champions to the title from the front. In the WCL 2025 final against Pakistan, ABD played a stunning knock of 120 off just 60 balls, reminding fans of his playing days.
He finished the WCL 2025 with a massive 431 runs in just six innings, with an unbelievable average of 143.67 and a jaw-dropping strike rate of 221.03.
De Villiers has hammered three blazing centuries in the tournament and helped the South African champions to win the trophy in England.
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AB de Villiers Virat Kohli Sachin Tendulkar India National Cricket Team South Africa National Cricket TeamAbout the Author
Rashmi Wasnik is a passionate content writer with over a decade of experience. She started her journ... Read more
