The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) have started the season in the best manner possible, with an emphatic eight-wicket win over the Mumbai Indians (MI) in their first match of the campaign. However, one of their former players believes that another team will win a second Indian Premier League (IPL) title before RCB can win their first trophy.
“Very difficult one. A long time ago, during the IPL auction, I had said that Gujarat Titans are going to go back-to-back. I am going to stick to that, even though I really want RCB to win. Since last year I have felt that they have a really great team, very well-balanced. They have enough power. Hopefully, RCB goes all the way,” AB de Villiers told NDTV.
De Villiers might be spot-on with his prediction, given the form in which the defending champions have started this campaign, with wins over the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and the Delhi Capitals (DC) respectively.
The South African legend is also happy to see Virat Kohli back among the runs, and added that relieving himself from captaincy duties from both the IPL and the international team has boded well for him.
“I think letting the captaincy go last season played a big role in him relaxing. He was a fantastic captain but he did it for a long period of time both internationally and also at the IPL which can be daunting. You never get time off to chill or spend with family or have a laugh with some friends. I think that is his mantra for this season, just to go out and have fun, keep smiling,” de Villiers said.
“I just feel, this season he has come in looking really fresh. I have seen some of his interviews where he is laughing more than ever…,” he added.
RCB got off to a stunning start to the IPL 2023 as they defeated Mumbai Indians in their campaign opener. RCB rode on Kohli's masterclass to bulldoze MI by eight wickets. Kohli combined with skipper Faf Du Plessis to weave a massive 148-run opening stand to help RCB overhaul the challenging 172-run target with 22 balls to spare.
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