AB de Villiers Celebrates RCB's Historic IPL Victory with Heartfelt Letter
AB de Villiers' Emotional Tribute to RCB
The iconic South African cricketer and former Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) star, AB de Villiers, expressed his heartfelt sentiments in a letter to his former team following their first Indian Premier League (IPL) championship. He emphasized his enduring bond with the franchise, its star player Virat Kohli, and several young talents, including captain Rajat Patidar, even after his retirement from cricket.
De Villiers was present at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on June 3, a landmark occasion in IPL history, as RCB triumphed over Punjab Kings (PBKS) to end their 18-year trophy drought.
In his Instagram post, de Villiers reflected on his impressive RCB career, where he amassed 4,522 runs in 157 matches, maintaining an average of 41.10, with two centuries and 37 half-centuries, all at a remarkable strike rate of 158.33.
The Atmosphere in Ahmedabad
De Villiers described the atmosphere at the stadium, stating that despite being in a neutral venue, the vibrant red of RCB made it feel like home. He remarked, "What I witnessed was not just a cricket match, but a culmination of belief, heartbreaks, and an undying loyalty that no trophy had rewarded until now. But last night, it happened. RCB, the team that became family to me, are the champions of the IPL. Well, it feels good to say that."
He shared that the moment was more than just a victory, as it represented the culmination of dreams and efforts from fans, leadership, and the entire team.
A Special Moment with Virat Kohli
De Villiers recounted a poignant moment with Virat Kohli during the celebration, saying, "As if the night hadn't already stirred every emotion, there was Virat, standing at long off, right in front of me. Our eyes met for a brief moment, and that was all it took. We did not need words."
He reflected on their shared journey, acknowledging the weight of their aspirations and the emotional connection they shared, which transcended mere statistics.
Praise for Young Talents
The former batter expressed pride in the performance of skipper Rajat Patidar and Devdutt Padikkal, who began their IPL careers during de Villiers' final years with RCB. He noted their potential and excitement, stating, "They have turned that promise into history, and I could not be prouder."
De Villiers thanked the RCB management, coaching staff, and loyal fans, expressing that even though he was not on the field, a part of his heart will always belong to the team.
Match Recap: RCB vs. PBKS
In the final match, PBKS won the toss and opted to bowl first. Key performances from Arshdeep Singh (3/40) and Kyle Jamieson (3/48) helped restrict RCB to 190/9 in 20 overs, with Virat Kohli scoring 43 runs.
During the chase, PBKS started strong but ultimately fell short, finishing at 184/7. Krunal Pandya's exceptional bowling earned him the 'Player of the Match' title, while PBKS continued to seek their first IPL title after making their second final appearance in 11 years.