AB de Villiers Virat Kohli. Image Credits: AFP/X
Virat Kohli and AB De Villiers have been long-time mates in the Royal Challengers Bengaluru dressing room. Probably the best pair that ever graced RCB with the bat, yet, Mr. 360 expressed something that would genuinely graze any King Kohli fan.
Notably, Virat Kohli has been an opener for his team in most of the matches in IPL though he is a gracious one at No. 3. Speaking of powerplay rules in T20 cricket, especially in India, AB De Villiers expressed his frustration over how heavily the format favours opening batters.
ABD Slams Powerplay Rules And Fielding Restrictions
While speaking on a podcast, De Villiers didn’t hold back while sharing his views on fielding restrictions in the first six overs.
“Tricky one, because I want the powerplay restrictions for fielders to be taken away. I feel it's unbelievably unfair,” ABD said.
He explained that the current rules create a significant imbalance, giving openers a clear advantage early in the innings.
AB De Villiers Indirectly Insults Virat Kohli By Comparison Criticism
The former RCB star also voiced his irritation at statistical comparisons between middle-order batters and openers.
“I hate it when I compare my runs to other players in the IPL, because then I go like, but I haven't faced as many balls. This guy's scored 8,000 runs. He's the best ever. No, I'm better than him. He's faced more balls. Don't do it,” De Villiers added.
Notably, Virat Kohli has 8,661 runs in IPL, and according to ABD, such comparisons ignore the context of batting positions and opportunities faced by different players. For De Villiers himself, the Proteas great have mainly batted at No. 3, No. 4 and No. 5 for RCB before retiring in 2021.
Also Read: Uncapped Players In RCB IPL Squad Who Can Set The Stage On Fire In 2026
De Villiers pointed out that most top run-scorers in T20 leagues are openers, largely due to the advantage of field restrictions, subtly hinting at Kohli again.
“They're all openers. And they bat with these restrictions. Only two guys out… they're playing a different game. You have to open the batting to win stuff. It irritates me,” AB De Villiers added.
He emphasised that the role of middle-order batters is far more challenging, especially when they come in under pressure situations.
AB de Villiers Calls for a Radical Change in T20 Rules
De Villiers even proposed a bold change to make the game more balanced as he called for a massive change in fielding restrictions.
“At the very least, with the new ball… just have your fielding restrictions taken away in the first six overs. T20s in India, short boundaries, great wickets. The advantage is the new ball. It's already too easy,” the Proteas great added while suggesting Virat Kohli.
Significantly, Kohli has 3,117 runs in powerplays in IPL while averaging at 45.2 for RCB. He has also garnered 389 boundaries and 76 sixes in the process.
He suggested removing powerplay restrictions entirely or reworking them, arguing that the current format makes scoring too easy for top-order batters.
Middle Order Batters More Effective Than Openers?
Highlighting the role of players batting at No. 4, 5, and 6, AB De Villiers stressed the difference in match situations they encounter.
“When it gets tough, numbers 4, 5, 6 are the ones who come in and have to deal. Then they're sitting there with tea in their hands… ‘I've scored my 60, I always score runs, I face the most balls,’” ABD added.
He concluded by underlining that middle-order batters often do the hardest job, yet don’t receive the same recognition due to fewer balls faced and tougher conditions.
“It might sound revolutionary, but I’d love to see that change. And remember, this is coming from a middle-order batter. Batting at No. 4 or 5 is tough, that’s when the real work begins, when there’s business to be done,” De Villiers concluded.
While AB De Villiers and Virat Kohli shared the dressing room of RCB for a decade and saw the duo make 3,175 runs from 77 matches they played together, the subtle grudge of ABD against openers somewhat pinches a crack in the longstanding camaraderie between the two greats.
Also Read- Another South African Player Kicks Aside PSL To Join IPL
