AB de Villiers and Virat Kohli -are two names in the global dictionary of cricket today, that require no definition and are self-explanatory to say the least. Even the thought of seeing these two batsmen bat together can fill any cricket lover with irresistible enthusiasm in the anticipation of the massacre that could follow. Among all the great things that have happened with advent of the IPL, the existence of these two giants in the very same batting line up has to be one of them.
If you were to name a few Karan-Arjuns or Jai-Veerus of cricket, Laxman-Dravid, Jayawardene-Sangakkara, Sourav-Sachin, are the names that will instantly strike you, and you would do anything to watch your favourite pair bat. Such is the case in the Indian Premier League with Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers. When they are on fire individually they seem to own the 22 yards in their own right but when they start doing what they do best, together, the consequences are – a nightmare for the opposition bowlers, display of sheer perfection and class on the field and jubilant fans all over the world.
Talking of IPL 2016, four 100+ partnerships and a partnership of 229, the highest ever for any wicket in the t20s, and 750+ runs together in one season, it will not be wrong to say that we see better versions of these batsmen when they come out to bat together.
When two highly reactive elements combine the general observation is that heat, turbulence and electricity is given off. The equation between these two batsmen is no different. The atmosphere in the stadium turns electric with the carnage and turbulence caused by these two and the opposition can do nothing but feel the heat, the heat of helplessness and pressure.
Breaking innumerable records when they come out to bat together has become a habit to an extent that now bettering their own records seems to be the mission. In the last edition they set Wankhede on fire against MI scoring 215 unbeaten together and then bettered it at the Chinnaswamy this year, which was even more special as both of them got sensational hundreds, which was a virtual treat for the spectators at the stadium and yet another statement of their insatiable hunger and most importantly why they are unarguably one of the bests in the world currently.
Termed as ‘batman & superman’ by their own teammate Chris Gayle because of some insane acts with the willow, Kohli and de Villiers undoubtedly are setting standards that can leave anyone in awe and all you can yearn for, sitting in front of the television is, that this duo bats out the entire 40 overs in the match or even more. Getting to watch the scoops and the flicks charging the ball miles into the air, alternatively, what else can you ask for?
Crafting perfection with unmatchable elegance on the field, we don’t need to list reasons why we can watch them over and over again, because the list will never end. However all we can hope for, is of more chances to see this unparalleled excellence in batting that makes us realise time and again why our love for this sport never fades out.
“I bow down to him”, is what Virat Kohli said and also declared AB de Villiers as the ‘best’, and we bow down to you both, gentlemen.
By Jayanti Ja
