Virat Kohli talks about AB de Villiers and the upcoming South Africa series

The start of 2018 promises to be one of the most exciting events of the year, with India facing South Africa in the Rainbow Nation.

The number 1 Test team will face the number 2 Test team, as both teams look to establish their dominance and start 2018 on a positive note. And along with the two nations fighting, the much-anticipated rivalry between Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers will also be on show.

Both the batsmen are probably the best in the world right now, as both form integral part of their respective national teams. Kohli and de Villiers both have a lot of responsibility on their shoulders for this series.

However, with the media hyping up the rivalry, the Indian captain Virat Kohli can not comprehend why every series between India and South Africa is seen as a battle between the two RCB team-mates.

TOI quoted Kohli speaking about his RCB team-mate, AB de Villiers, “It’s not like only two guys are playing in this series. AB is a great friend of mine. I respect the way he plays the game and I have always respected him as a person as well. But, when we are playing against each other it’s not that we cross the line with each other, we are just not like that.”

One of the main reason why South Africa has been so lethal at home is their brilliant pace-led attack. And it can be seen that even in the past, the Indian batters have suffered against the Proteas.

Virat Kohli also clarified that he believes that getting AB de Villiers out early will not ensure the Men in Blue a win.

Hashim Amla, Faf du Plesis and QDK too pose a big threat with the bat along with their superior pace battery.

The first Test begins on the 5th of January in Cape Town.