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Kohli declares AB the best in the world

Proteas star earns praise from his RCB skipper after starring role, but not everything went to plan

India superstar Virat Kohli has delivered an emphatic response to the ongoing debate as to who is the greatest batsman in the world.

After a phenomenal run of T20 form that includes four hundreds in the current edition of the Indian Premier League, Kohli was last night dismissed without scoring as the Royal Challengers Bangalore set about earning a spot in Sunday’s final.

Almost all of RCB’s top-order batsmen were sent back to the dugout without reaching double figures in the playoffs clash against Gujarat Lions. Well, all bar Abraham Benjamin de Villiers.

The South African batting magician compiled a whirlwind knock of 79 not out from 47 balls to guide his side to the season decider with 10 balls still up his sleeve after they were languishing at 6-68 in the 10th over in pursuit the 159-run target.

WATCH: ABdV masterclass fires Bangalore into IPL final

The match-winning knock – featuring five fours and five sixes – led to the highest praise from teammate and fellow batting supremo Virat Kohli.

"Unbelievable, can't believe I'm the winning captain," Kohli said after the match.

"That should end a lot of debates as to who is the best going around. No question about it.

"Come the big game, the big man stands up. I just bow down to him, that was probably one of the best knocks under pressure I've seen.

“So composed, taking Iqbal Abdulla along. He was really motivated to do it for the team.

“I'm really happy for him, I'm really happy for the whole team.”

Teams have tried all season long to find a way to stop de Villiers and an over-exuberant teammate has just about come closest to it.

Having completed the winning runs in the come-from-behind victory, de Villiers saluted towards the Bangalore bench. He was met by an on-rushing mob of teammates who crashed into him, stunning the South African and sending his helmet flying.

De Villiers was clearly stunned by the ferocity of the hug with leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal just ahead of Sarfaraz Khan and captain Kohli.

A quick check for blood – there was none – and de Villiers carried on the celebrations, albeit with a big red graze on his chin where the helmet strap was ripped from his face.

Bangalore had to storm from back in the pack to make the IPL finals in the first place, largely thanks to the batting supremacy of de Villiers and Kohli.

Hitting their straps at the right time of the season, Bangalore will now wait and see who joins them in the big dance with Gujarat, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kolkata Knight Riders all still in the running.