"I Apologise To The Virat Kohli Family, Did A Blunder": AB de Villiers, Asks Everyone To Respect Privacy

Virat Kohli's name is missing from the squad list for the last three Tests against England, which was announced on Saturday. "Virat Kohli will remain unavailable for selection for the remainder of the series due to personal reasons. The Board fully respects and supports Mr. Kohli's decision," the BCCI said in a release. There has been intense speculation about the nature of Virat Kohli's 'personal reason.' In the midst of this Virat Kohli's long-time teammate at Royal Challengers Bangalore, AB de Villiers last week said that the India star and Anushka Sharma's "second child is on the way". 

On Friday, however, ABD did a U-Turn and said: "Family comes first and then Cricket. I had made a big mistake on my YouTube channel. That information was wrong and not true at all. I think whatever's best for Virat's family comes first. No one knows what's happening there, all i can do is wish him well. Whatever the reason for his break, I hope he can comeback stronger, better and fresh from this."

Now, in an YouTube live, the South Africa great has apologised to the Kohli family.  

"My friend Virat Kohli is still not available. I cry out to everybody to give him the privacy that he deserves. Family comes first. No one knows what exactly is going on. I am asking all of us to respect that. I did bit of a blunder in my previous show and I apologise to the Kohli family for that," AB de Villiers said in an YouTube Live. 

"Just not nice. I shared information that was not confirmed at all so. I am begging everyone out there to respect him and his family and his private time. Hopefully, we will see Virat back, happy and scoring runs. Like he always does."

In his previous YouTube live, de Villiers was asked if he has spoken to Virat Kohli and whether he is fine or not.

"All I know is he is fine. He is spending a bit of time with his family, that is the reason he is missing the first two Test matches. I am not going to confirm anything else. I cannot wait to see him back. He is fine, he is happy," revealed AB de Villiers on his YouTube channel.

"Let me just see what he said. I just want to at least give you a little bit of love," he added.

"So I wrote to him 'Been wanting to check in with you for a while now biscuits. How are you?'. He said 'Just need to be with my family right now'. Then I said I am doing well.

"Yes, his second child is on the way. Yes, it's family time and things are important to him. If you are not true and genuine to yourself, you lose track of what you are here for. I think most people's priority is family. You can't judge Virat for that. Yes, we miss him, but he has made the right decision," he added.

Topics mentioned in this article

Royal Challengers Bangalore India Cricket Team South Africa Cricket Team England Cricket Team Virat Kohli AB de Villiers India vs England, 2024 Cricket