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De Villiers Calls Kohli 'Arrogant' in Early Days

AB de Villiers said his first impression of Virat Kohli was “arrogant and cocky” during a podcast with Prakhar Gupta. The former South Africa captain explained that the perception stemmed from Kohli’s high self‑belief, which he described as “overly confident” when they first met at Royal Challengers Bengaluru. De Villiers noted that Kohli’s confidence was evident from a young age, but it was often misinterpreted by teammates and observers, a pattern he himself experienced. He added that the comment was tongue‑in‑cheek and that Kohli’s confidence was essential for his early success, especially in his late teens and early twenties. Over time, the former captain said Kohli’s intense drive to prove himself softened as he established himself among the world’s top players, becoming a more balanced cricketer. De Villiers emphasized that this evolution helped Kohli manage his self‑confidence, reducing the “overly confident” aura that once surrounded him. The interview highlights the changing dynamics of their friendship and the growth of one of cricket’s most celebrated batsmen.

· Times of India

The essential points

  1. 01De Villiers first called Kohli “arrogant and cocky” during a podcast.
  2. 02He said the remark was due to Kohli’s strong self‑belief, not disrespect.
  3. 03Kohli’s confidence was evident from age 19‑21, a trait that later matured.
  4. 04The former South Africa captain noted the change from overconfidence to balance as Kohli grew.
The full brief

AB de Villiers said his first impression of Virat Kohli was “arrogant and cocky” during a podcast with Prakhar Gupta. The former South Africa captain explained that the perception stemmed from Kohli’s high self‑belief, which he described as “overly confident” when they first met at Royal Challengers Bengaluru. De Villiers noted that Kohli’s confidence was evident from a young age, but it was often misinterpreted by teammates and observers, a pattern he himself experienced.

He added that the comment was tongue‑in‑cheek and that Kohli’s confidence was essential for his early success, especially in his late teens and early twenties. Over time, the former captain said Kohli’s intense drive to prove himself softened as he established himself among the world’s top players, becoming a more balanced cricketer. De Villiers emphasized that this evolution helped Kohli manage his self‑confidence, reducing the “overly confident” aura that once surrounded him.

The interview highlights the changing dynamics of their friendship and the growth of one of cricket’s most celebrated batsmen.