AB de Villiers 'Reveals' Why He Picked Virat Kohli Over Sachin Tendulkar As Better Test Batsman

South African cricketing legend AB de Villiers has robustly defended his recent comments on the batting prowess of Virat Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar, following a wave of criticism from fans and former players. De Villiers, known for his audacious stroke play, took to his YouTube channel to clarify his stance, insisting his comparison was an 'opinion' and not meant to 'axe anyone' from their esteemed positions in cricketing history. AB de Villiers Says Virat Kohli Was Better Than Sachin Tendulkar in Test Cricket.

AB De Villiers on Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli Comparison

The initial remarks, which surfaced recently, saw de Villiers suggesting that while Sachin Tendulkar was a pioneer for subcontinent batters mastering bouncy and seaming conditions abroad, Virat Kohli had 'raised the bar' and was 'even better' in those demanding environments. This assertion sparked a considerable debate across social media platforms, with many fans perceiving it as a slight against the 'Master Blaster'.

The Heart of the Comparison

De Villiers' original comments focused on the evolutionary aspect of Indian batting in Test cricket, particularly away from home. He highlighted Tendulkar's role in demonstrating that subcontinent batters could excel consistently in challenging conditions. "I think of someone like Sachin Tendulkar way back, who started that trend for India," de Villiers had stated. "Yet, he wasn't as strong as someone like Virat Kohli, who was even better. But Sachin was the first guy to show that, as a subcontinent batter, you can do well in bouncy and seaming conditions."

He further explained how Kohli built on this foundation: "Virat took that forward and raised the bar. Because of that, there are quite a few players now like Rahul and Padikkal, who have started to up that trend and follow in the footsteps of a Virat and a Sachin."

Addressing the Backlash

Responding to the public outcry, de Villiers clarified the intent behind his words. "There was a bit of confusion with my Virat and Sachin comment. Remember, it's my opinion. I'm not axing anyone. I'm telling you the way that I see it," he stated in a follow-up video on Thursday, August 27, 2026.

He acknowledged that statistics, particularly away from home, might favour Tendulkar, who amassed 8705 away runs at an average of 54.74, compared to Kohli's 4774 runs at 41.51. However, de Villiers emphasized his holistic view of a player's impact. "We can always look at stats and say Virat's stats were not as good abroad, especially because of England, where he really struggled. But I still feel he looked confident and played the all-round, well-balanced cricket that's needed to succeed abroad and inspired a lot of youngsters around him," he elaborated. CoE Head VVS Laxman Hails Virat Kohli's Professionalism, Calls Indian Batting Icon 'Great Role Model'.

De Villiers reiterated his deep respect for Tendulkar's legacy, highlighting his role in paving the way for future generations. He also praised Kohli for introducing a 'different dynamic' to Indian batting, particularly his prowess against the short ball. The former Proteas skipper underscored that his assessment considered factors beyond raw numbers, such as fitness, leadership by example, and an all-round game.

Ultimately, de Villiers’ clarification seeks to quell the controversy by framing his initial comments as an analytical perspective on the evolving landscape of Indian batting, rather than a definitive ranking intended to diminish the monumental achievements of either Virat Kohli or Sachin Tendulkar.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 27, 2026 12:26 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).