KL Rahul picks AB de Villiers as all-time favourite batsman

 

India’s limited overs wicket-keeper batsman KL Rahul has picked former South African batsman AB de Villiers as his all-time favourite batsman. Rahul had shared a great bonhomie with de Villiers when he played with the Proteas star for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League.

Rahul and de Villiers were able to get some crucial alliances for the RCB when the former used to play for the franchise. AB de Villiers is regarded as one of the best batsmen of the modern era and he stunned everyone with his breathtaking stroke play.

KL Rahul hosted a Q and A session on Twitter and he was asked his favourite batsman by one of the fans. Rahul replied, “I think it has to be AB de Villiers”.
 

However, de Villiers took a surprising retirement back in 2018. The Proteas star was in talk to make a comeback for the 2019 World Cup but the team management turned their back on him.

In fact, de Villiers is once again in talks to play for South Africa in the T20 World Cup. However, the right-hander doesn’t want to commit anything in case the T20I showpiece is pushed to next year due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

AB de Villiers scored 8765 runs in 114 Test matches at 50.6 whereas he scored 9577 runs in 228 ODI matches at an impressive average of 53.5.

On the other hand, Rahul played 19 matches for the RCB in which he scored 417 runs at an average of 37.50 and strike rate of 145.29.

Despite performing well for the franchise Rahul was not retained by RCB and he was bought by Kings XI Punjab in IPL 2018 auctions. The right-hander will lead Kings XI Punjab in the upcoming season of the IPL, if it goes ahead.

Rahul has been in sublime form in the recent past and he would look to hit the ground running once he gets back into action. The flamboyant right-hander was awarded the Man of the series as he scored 224 runs in five T20Is against New Zealand.

 

 

Written by: Gautam Chauhan