ICC World Cup 2019 | You're most honest and committed man I know, says Virat Kohli to AB de Villiers
Virat Kohli has come out in support of AB de Villiers, who is being criticized for supposedly demanding a comeback to the Proteas squad for the 2019 World Cup. De Villiers released a statement on his social media after South Africaās journey in the ongoing World Cup came to a sad end.
The Kohli-ABD bromance is known by every keen viewer of the IPL franchise, Royal Challengers Bangalore. However, this time the Indian skipper has come to the support of his batting partner off the field. After the Proteasā loss against IndiaĀ in the World Cup, reports surfaced claiming that de Villiers had demanded to be included in the squad but the cricket board refused.
However, de Villiers released a statement yesterday clarifying his side of the story and got strong support from the Indian skipper.Ā "My brother you are the most honest and committed man I know. It's been unfortunate to see this happen to you. But know that we stand with you and believe in you. Seeing people enter your personal space has been sad to see and uncalled for. More love and power to you and your beautiful family. Me and Anushka are Always here for you guys," Kohli wrote, reported PTI.
Former Indian cricketer, Yuvraj Singh, also came out in support for his dear friend. Both Kohli and Yuvraj are in complete agreement that de Villiers is a true gentleman.Ā The main portion of the statement addressing his critics includes former players, cricket pundits and commentators. In it, he also confirmed that it was neither him nor Faf, who leaked the conversations.
āTwo days before the World Cup squad was announced, I contacted him (Faf) for a chat. I had been in decent form during the Indian Premier League and casually repeated what I had said when asked a year earlier, that I was available if required. I made absolutely no demand at all. There was no burning issue from my side, and no sense of injustice. Out of the blue, on the evening after the Proteas lost to India, suffering a third successive World Cup defeat, elements of our private conversation were disclosed to the media.
"As a result, I was unfairly described as arrogant, selfish and indecisive, but with all humility, my conscience is clear. I retired for honest reasons and, when asked if I could be available for the World Cup, I agreed to keep the door open. In the event, understandably, the team moved on,ā de Villiers said in his statement.
