Virat Kohli has evolved a lot over the course of his 15-year-long international career, on the field and off it. Once perceived as a hot-headed U19 World Cup-winning captain who would never back down from a fight, he has matured into a husband who celebrates every milestone with a quiet smile and a kiss to his wedding, and a doting father.

In a conversation with Chris Gayle on the Royal Challengers Bangalore’s Bold Diaries series, AB de Villiers told how he had felt that Kohli needed to “come down to earth a bit” when the two had met for the first time.

“Oh my goodness, I’ve heard this question before. I’m going to give it an honest answer again. I thought he was quite cocky and arrogant when I met him the first time,” de Villiers told Gayle.

“He had this hairstyle going and he had a bit of a strut going. But the minute I got to know him a bit better and watched him play, I mean I had as much respect for him, but I got to know him better as a human. And I think he had a barrier around him when I met him the first time. And that barrier opened up and I got to know the person, you know.

“Lots of respect after that first meeting. I didn’t not like him, but you know what I’m saying. Nah, he’s a top man, but first impressions were like, ‘oof … he’s got to come down to earth a bit.’”

RCB begin their IPL 2023 campaign against Mumbai Indians on April 2 at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

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