The evergreen debate surrounding cricket’s greatest players of all time has found fresh fuel thanks to South African maestro AB de Villiers. While participating in the ongoing World Championship of Legends Cricket 2025 (WCL 2025) in England, the former Proteas skipper sat down for a candid chat and made some intriguing picks for his all-time top three batters and bowlers — and his choices have sent the cricketing world into a frenzy.
Known for his innovation and 360-degree strokeplay, de Villiers opted for a blend of legendary names from different eras. When asked to name the three best batters across all formats, AB briefly considered Brian Lara, whose flair and dominance were once unmatched. But instead, he finalised his top trio based on consistency, adaptability, and impact across formats: Ricky Ponting, Jacques Kallis, and Virat Kohli.
His reasoning was clear. Kallis, with his dual prowess as a batter and bowler, remains one of the game’s most complete cricketers. Ponting’s aggressive mindset and leadership defined Australia’s golden era. And Kohli, still active, is admired for his relentless hunger for runs and unmatched fitness, setting benchmarks in modern-day cricket.
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However, it was AB de Villiers’ choice of bowlers that raised eyebrows. Instead of opting for conventional spin legends or even all-format stars, he exclusively focused on pace. “Just bowlers, no spinners,” he clarified. His top three? Glenn McGrath for his unerring accuracy, Dale Steyn for raw pace and aggression, and Pakistan’s Mohammad Asif — a selection that particularly surprised many.
.@ABdeVilliers17 reveals the batters and bowlers who stood out to him, the names that left a lasting impression. 👏#WCL2025 👉 18th July to 2nd August, Every Day Live on Star Sports Network pic.twitter.com/2jUrgNDXvO
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) July 26, 2025
Asif’s inclusion might seem unconventional, but de Villiers explained that few bowlers troubled top batters the way Asif did with his seam movement and control. Despite his career being cut short, Asif’s skill left a lasting impression.
Each of these legends has stats to back their greatness. Kallis, with over 25,000 international runs and 577 wickets, is arguably cricket’s finest all-rounder. Ponting remains Australia’s second-highest run-getter, having led his side to three World Cup titles. Kohli, meanwhile, continues to shatter records with over 27,000 international runs.
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Among bowlers, Glenn McGrath boasts 944 international wickets, Dale Steyn terrorised batters with 699 wickets across formats, and Asif, despite a brief career, remains a technical masterclass in swing bowling. AB de Villiers’ list may not be universally agreed upon — but then again, that’s the beauty of cricket. Greatness, after all, is often shaped as much by emotion and experience as by statistics.
