West Indies legend Chris Gayle chided fellow Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) ‘Hall of Famer’ AB de Villiers for choosing Virat Kohli as his favorite batting partner. Recently, both Gayle and AB de Villiers were inducted by RCB into their ‘Hall of Fame’. During his time with the franchise, Gayle opened with Kohli several times and the pair won many matches for RCB. He also played some memorable innings with de Villiers. Talking on Geo Cinema, Gayle explained why he chose Virat as his favorite batting partner.
Gayle said, “I opened more with Virat, so I will choose Virat.”
Virat AB@henrygayle chooses his choice! #IPLonJioCinema #TATAIPL #IPL2023 pic.twitter.com/1CB4KnQ6pc
– JioCinema (@JioCinema) April 15, 2023
The trio – Kohli, Gayle and de Villiers – last played for RCB in 2017 as the West Indian was released by the franchise ahead of the 2018 mega auction and bought by the Punjab Kings. Of the three, Kohli is the only active player as de Villiers retired last year while Gayle played his last IPL match in 2021.
De Villiers represented the team in 157 matches from 2011-2021. He scored 4,522 runs at an average of 41.10. He scored two centuries and 37 fifties for the team at a strike rate of over 158. Whereas, Gayle represented RCB in 91 matches in 2011-17, scoring 3,420 runs at a strike rate of over 154 and five centuries and 21 fifties. His best score is 175*.
So far in IPL 2023, RCB have won two and lost two matches.
RCB defeated Delhi Capitals by 23 runs at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on Saturday.
RCB will now take on Chennai Super Kings on Monday.