Kohli's Resilience: Criticism Fuels Indian Star's Success

Virat Kohli's resilience under criticism has been a constant throughout his illustrious career. South African legend AB de Villiers, who has witnessed Kohli's journey from close quarters, has observed how the Indian star thrives on adversity.

During the early stages of the Indian Premier League (IPL), Kohli faced criticism from legendary commentator Sunil Gavaskar over his strike rate. However, Kohli responded with a series of high-scoring performances, proving his ability to silence his critics.

"I enjoyed that," said de Villiers, referring to the debate surrounding Kohli's strike rate. "It was really bad for someone like that, a hero and a role model of the country, to get so much criticism. But I knew that's exactly what would happen to him."

De Villiers believes that criticism motivates Kohli to perform at his best. "I used to tell the players in the team room, you do not say one word to Virat on the pitch because he will come out and he will score a big 100 if you try and chirp him," he said.

Kohli's leadership and determination were crucial in Royal Challengers Bangalore's (RCB) remarkable turnaround in the IPL. After a dismal start with only one win in eight games, RCB staged a stunning comeback with six consecutive victories to secure a play-off spot.

"When the team is down and out, a player like Kohli can play a huge role in lifting the spirits," said de Villiers. "He showed the kind of care that he has for the team and the desire to ultimately go and win a trophy."

De Villiers praised Kohli's unwavering intensity and commitment, even during RCB's losing streak. "To see that in one of your senior players who's achieved everything in cricket, it's incredibly motivational and inspirational," he said.

Kohli's selfless acts, such as celebrating his teammates' successes and encouraging young players, also played a significant role in RCB's resurgence. "That ultimately is a selfless act," said de Villiers.

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