AB de Villiers has had a massive impact on my career, have always been a silent admirer of him: Harshal Patel

India fast bowler Harshal Patel paid tribute to his former Royal Challengers Bangalore and South Africa batting great AB de Villiers after the latter announced his retirement from all forms of the game on Friday.

India fast bowler Harshal Patel said that AB de Villiers, with whom he shared a dressing room this season at Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the Indian Premier League, told him how to reduce the number of big overs he tends to have. De Villiers retired from all forms of cricket on Saturday, making the 2021 season of the IPL, in which Harshal equaled the record for most wickets in a single season. To the best player of our times and the most inspirational person I've met, you can be very proud of what you've done and what you've given to RCB my brother. Our bond is beyond the game and will always be.

"AB has had a massive impact in my career. I have always been a silent observer of him," Harshal said in a press conference after Saturday's match.