Mohammad Asif in, Virat Kohli out: AB de Villiers shares his top five favourites

WEB DESK: South African cricket icon AB de Villiers has revealed his list of the top five cricketers he’s ever played with or against, and in classic India vs Pakistan fashion, it’s sparked a frenzy among fans from both nations. The reason? Virat Kohli didn’t make the cut!

At the same time, Pakistan’s Mohammad Asif made a cozy little spot for himself on de Villiers’ list. Even though Sachin Tendulkar is still on the list, so Indian cricket fans cannot rage against the South African superstar for leaving India out altogether. Here’s what happened…

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Speaking on the Beard Before Wicket podcast, De Villiers named South Africa’s Jacques Kallis, England’s Andrew Flintoff, Australia’s Shane Warne, India’s Sachin Tendulkar, and Pakistan’s Mohammad Asif as the standout players from his illustrious career. The absence of Kohli, his long-time Royal Challengers Bangalore teammate and close friend, sparked immediate reaction from fans.

Interestingly, Kohli’s name only came up when England spinner Adil Rashid brought him into the conversation. De Villiers was quick to acknowledge the omission and issued a light-hearted apology, saying, “Sorry, Virat, but Sachin takes the spot. These kinds of questions are always tricky. It’s hard to leave anyone out.”

The former Proteas captain showered high praise on Jacques Kallis, calling him the greatest cricketer he’s ever seen.

“Kallis, in my opinion, is the best all-rounder of all time, maybe even the best player I’ve watched. As for fast bowlers, Mohammad Asif was the most skillful I faced. I loved playing against Shane Warne — not because he was easy, but because of his presence and aura. And Flintoff? A true big-match player. That yorker he bowled to Kallis at Edgbaston — unbelievable.”

De Villiers’ admiration for Sachin Tendulkar also stood out. “When Sachin walked out to bat, it was like the world stood still. That kind of energy from the crowd was magical. Watching him play was a privilege,” he added.

DE VILLIERS CONTINUES TO SHINE

Still turning heads post-retirement, De Villiers recently starred in the 2025 World Championship of Legends. In the final against Pakistan, the 41-year-old rolled back the years with a breathtaking 120 off just 60 balls, anchoring South Africa’s dominant nine-wicket victory. Chasing 196, the Proteas reached the target in just 16.5 overs, with JP Duminy offering solid support at the other end.

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De Villiers was named Player of the Tournament, finishing as the top run-scorer. In six innings, he racked up 429 runs at a staggering average of 143, including three centuries and a half-century — reaffirming his legendary status in the cricketing world.