South African great AB de Villiers lauded Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma for their match-winning partnership in the 3rd ODI vs Australia while also slamming the critics of the two stalwarts, calling them ‘cockroaches. Kohli and Rohit both returned to the national set up in the Australia ODIs after winning the Champions Trophy in March but didn’t get off to the best of starts. Kohli scored back to back ducks in the first two ODIs while Rohit scored an 8 in the 1st ODUI and then slammed 73 in the second.
In the third and final ODI, both Virat and Rohit slammed 74 and 121 respectively to guide India to a dominating win over the Aussies and helped India avoid a whitewash. The series was lost 2-1 but the two veteran stars proved they still had plenty of fuel in their tanks.
“I don’t know what it is about people. I’m not sure if I can call them people. Cockroaches climbing out of their holes as soon as players get towards the backend of their careers. Why? Why do you want to pour negative energy into players that have given their lives literally for their country and this beautiful game of cricket? This is the perfect time to celebrate them (and) not now when they have done well.” “Not now that they have done They have taken a lot of criticism in the last few months. Everyone is just trying to push them down for what reason, I have no idea,” de Villiers said on his 360 Live show.
“Obviously, I am referring to the minority because I think the majority of people celebrate Rohit and Virat and their incredible careers. And it is a fantastic time to celebrate them once again,” he added.
de Villers said that Virat and Rohit are a generational combo of talent and they should be celebrated.
“Rohit, another hundred…. Back in the runs (is) the Biscotti, going strong and I am looking forward to what’s sort of ahead,” de Villiers said. “I honestly just think, if you’re a fan of cricket, it’s just really time to celebrate players like these. It’s not often players like these come across our paths. It’s a generational combo of talent that we have here, and it’s really necessary for us to celebrate them and to enjoy the last few years, however long they last,” he added.
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