The fiery Indian batter, KL Rahul may have come to be recognized as one of the best batters in the world in the last couple of years but admits that he still struggles to find words when he is speaking with former South Africa captain AB de Villiers. Rahul, who captains the Lucknow Super Giants, shared a dressing room with De Villiers while plying his trade for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

During the chat on the Youtube show ‘Breakfast with Champions’, KL Rahi said, “My kid in a candy store moment came in I think 2012 or 2013 season, which was my first. I walked in and (saw) Virat (Kohli), Chris Gayle, Zaheer Khan and AB, who was my favourite player and still is.”

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KL Rahul revealed that he would always watch videos of AB de Villiers batting in a certain country whenever he is preparing for a tour of that country. He also revealed, “I always go back and watch videos of him. Now, just before going to South Africa, I watched AB de Villiers hundreds in South Africa, then before going to England it was AB de Villiers in England. He has always been one of my favourite players.”

AB De Villiers ended his illustrious playing career in January this year, which meant that the 2021 season was the last time he was seen in the IPL. He ended his international career abruptly in 2018.

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During the conversation, KL Rahul said, “I have a very nice, cute relationship with AB. I’m still very like… I don’t have words. Nothing comes out. I try and then look like an idiot when trying to make a conversation with him after the games in IPL because there is so much I want to ask him but I don’t know. It’s a proper fanboy moment with him.”

Rahul’s Lucknow Super Giants made their IPL debut on Monday; however, the side faced a narrow five-wicket defeat with only two balls to spare to fellow debutants Gujarat Titans.