Dodda Ganesh Mocks AB de Villiers’ Verdict Placing Virat Kohli Above Sachin Tendulkar

Former India fast bowler Dodda Ganesh has delivered a sharp, sarcastic retort to South African great AB de Villiers after the latter ranked Virat Kohli ahead of Sachin Tendulkar in terms of overseas Test performances. The assessment has reignited one of cricket’s most persistent debates. While Tendulkar is universally celebrated as one of the game’s greatest batters, Kohli has forged a formidable legacy, particularly for his exploits in challenging conditions outside the subcontinent.

De Villiers recently contended that Tendulkar was the pioneer who proved Indian batters could dominate on bouncy, seam-friendly tracks, but argued Kohli subsequently elevated that standard to a new level.

Dodda Ganesh responds to AB de Villiers with a brutal one-liner

Ganesh appeared distinctly unimpressed by De Villiers’ analysis. Reacting on X to the former South Africa batter’s comments, the ex-India pacer fired off a mere five words.

“Pass on the weed, brother,” Ganesh wrote.

The sardonic quip immediately drew significant attention online, amplified by the towering stature of the two Indian batting legends at the center of the discussion.

The exchange carries an intriguing subtext given De Villiers’ close bond with Kohli. The pair shared several seasons at Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the Indian Premier League and have frequently spoken of their deep friendship and mutual respect. Consequently, Ganesh’s riposte was widely interpreted as a playful yet pointed dissent from De Villiers’ view, rather than a mere statistical quibble between two all-time greats.

Pass on the weed, brother. https://t.co/3XOy6o6x9t

— Dodda Ganesh | ದೊಡ್ಡ ಗಣೇಶ್ (@doddaganesha) August 20, 2026

De Villiers on why he rated Virat Kohli higher than Sachin Tendulkar

De Villiers offered his perspective while discussing the evolution of Indian batting and the adaptation of subcontinent players to difficult overseas conditions. According to the South African great, Tendulkar deserves immense credit for being among the first Indian batters to demonstrate that success was achievable against high-quality pace attacks on pitches offering pace, bounce, and lateral movement.

However, De Villiers maintains that Kohli built upon that foundation to establish an even higher benchmark. His argument posits that Tendulkar opened the door for Indian batters to thrive abroad, while Kohli drove that progression forward with remarkable consistency and intensity. That verdict is certain to polarize opinion, especially among fans who witnessed Tendulkar dismantle some of history’s finest bowling attacks during an era defined by legendary fast bowlers.

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