De Villiers lauds 'consummate surgeon' Kohli
South Africa captain AB de Villers shares his thoughts on the talent and hard work that has helped Virat Kohli evolve into 'the very model of a calm, clinical and confident professional cricketer'
ESPNcricinfo staff
17-Jun-2017
AB de Villers has had to contend with a familiar South African script at the ongoing edition of the Champions Trophy, but his side's early exit hasn't kept him from praising his Indian counterpart and Royal Challengers Bangalore captain Virat Kohli ahead of India's final against Pakistan on Sunday. In a column for the BBC, de Villiers offers insight into Kohli's perseverance, ability to cope with pressure, and work ethic as captain.
There were occasions earlier in his career when his determination to succeed spilled over into outbursts anger and volatility on the field, but such incidents are rare now. He has evolved into the very model of a calm, clinical and confident professional cricketer, seemingly in control of every situation.
Intense and serious in matches and at practice, he retains the invaluable ability to switch off from the game, relaxing, laughing and joking at every opportunity.
He enjoys calling people by playful nicknames and he can find humour in almost every situation, even when we are spending hour after hour at another photo shoot, waiting for the photographer to be ready, then being told how and where to pose, then waiting some more, then being told we have to start the process all over again.
While some of his team-mates are getting frustrated and struggling to be patient and composed, Virat will find something funny and deftly defuse the situation.