Not Kohli Or Tendulkar! AB De Villiers Picks 166-Test Veteran As Greatest Of All Time

Sports Cricket

Posted by AI on 2025-07-29 14:55:54 | Last Updated by AI on 2026-02-12 12:33:46

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Jacques Kallis, the 166-Test veteran, was regarded as the greatest player of all time (GOAT) by AB de Villiers. De Villiers believes that Kallis is extremely underrated and does not get the recognition he deserves.

In a recent interview, the former South African captain gave his thoughts on who the greatest batsman of all time is. He believes that the term 'great' is subjective but if there is one player who embodies everything, it is Jacques Kallis.

AB de Villiers praised the former cricketer, calling him a complete player who was "most underrated" and "did not get the credit he deserved." He also described him as "a tremendous cricketer who influenced me a lot."

Kallis was a versatile player who excelled in both batting and bowling. He is one of the few players to have scored over 10,000 runs and taken over 250 wickets in Test matches. He also scored over 11,000 runs in ODI cricket.

Perhaps the main reason why Kallis hasn't received as much international attention as some of his contemporaries is that he played during the Proteas' isolation from international cricket between 1970 and 1991, and much of his career was spent in the shadows of players like Sachin Tendulkar and Ricky Ponting.

Certainly, in the context of South African cricket, however, Jacques Kallis is a legend who deserves recognition and appreciation. With this recognition, hopefully, young cricketers will look to Kallis' career as a source of inspiration.

Perhaps one day, we will see a retrospective on his career and a broader appreciation for his accomplishments. Until then, Kallis can rest assured that AB de Villiers and many South African fans think he is the G.O.A.T.

Conclusion:

AB de Villiers' recent interview sparked discussions about who the G.O.A.T. of cricket is. De Villiers nominates Jacques Kallis, describing him as underrated and versatile, someone who embodies everything. Kallis, a 166-Test veteran, played during Proteas' isolation and lacked exposure on the international stage compared to players like Sachin Tendulkar. However, his achievements are remarkable: over 10,000 Test runs and 250 wickets, plus over 11,000 ODI runs. Young cricketers can look up to Kallis, and perhaps, one day, he will receive the full recognition he deserves. In the eyes of de Villiers and many South African fans, he is the G.O.A.T.

Go!