Former South African captain AB de Villiers has fiercely responded to critics, defending his former RCB teammate Virat Kohli and Indian captain Rohit Sharma.
Sports News: Former South African captain and a beloved player among Indian cricket fans, AB de Villiers, has once again come to the defense of his former teammates Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. He launched a scathing attack on critics who are continuously making negative remarks about these two legendary players in the twilight of their careers.
De Villiers compared such individuals to "cockroaches," stating that these people only emerge when a player's career is nearing its end.
Some people emerge like cockroaches – AB de Villiers
Speaking on his YouTube channel, AB de Villiers said,
'I don't understand why people do this. As soon as a player reaches the twilight of their career, some people crawl out of their holes like cockroaches and start spreading hate. These are players who have given everything for their country and for cricket. They deserve respect, not criticism.'
He further added, "Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are two of the biggest names in Indian cricket. Their contributions are unparalleled. It's time we celebrate their magnificent careers, instead of trying to pull them down."
Rohit-Virat: Pillars of Indian Cricket
AB de Villiers stated that both Virat and Rohit have elevated Indian cricket to new heights over the past decade and a half. "Virat's aggression and passion transformed the entire team's attitude, while Rohit, as captain, brought stability to Team India. Both have given Indian cricket a new identity on the global stage," De Villiers said.
He also mentioned that criticism is part of the game, but "it is wrong to cross the line and hurt the dignity of players." Recently, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma had a subdued performance in the initial matches of the three-game ODI series between India and Australia. Virat failed to open his account in the first two matches, while Rohit was also struggling to find his rhythm. Following this, social media was flooded with criticism directed at both players.
Rohit Sharma played an unbeaten captain's knock of 121 runs, and Virat Kohli made a crucial contribution of 74 runs. The duo forged a 168-run partnership for the third wicket, leading India to a 9-wicket victory over Australia and clinching the series 2-1.
They are still the best – De Villiers' big statement
De Villiers stated that no matter what people say, Virat and Rohit are still among the best batsmen in the world. "People forget that these are the very players who have pulled India out of difficult situations countless times. They are still fit, motivated, and hungry to win. Critics should respect their achievements."
He further added, "Every player's career has periods of ups and downs in performance. This doesn't mean they are finished. Players like Virat and Rohit make comebacks repeatedly — that's what makes them great."
Targeting social media trolls
De Villiers also took aim at social media users, saying, "Today, anyone can tweet or post without thinking. People don't understand how much their words can affect a player's mental health, especially those who have dedicated 15-20 years to their country." He appealed to all fans to respect players and spread "positive energy."
AB de Villiers concluded by saying that no matter what happens in the future, the legacy of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will always be immortal. "These two will be written in golden letters in the history of Indian cricket. Future generations will draw inspiration from them. People with a 'cockroach-like' mentality will always exist, but history will always remember these two."
