Indian Premier League 2024

'Ee sala cup nahii' - Fans react as AB de Villers predicts another team to win IPL 2023, despite his preference for RCB

AB de Villers said that he wants RCB to win the Indian Premier League this year, but believes that another team will do so.

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Ab de Villiers

Ab de Villiers (Image credit: Twitter)

Ab de Villiers Ab de Villiers (Image credit: Twitter)

The 2023 Indian Premier League is currently ongoing, with all ten teams having played at least one match. We've already seen a lot of exciting action on the field, and some teams have already impressed us with their game in the early stages of the tournament. Royal Challengers Bangalore is one of those teams that amazed with an eight-wicket victory over Mumbai Indians in their first match.

RCB are yet to win a trophy in the cash-rich league but have had a decent outing in the last few years. The Faf du Plessis-led side looks more balanced this time around and with their former captain Virat Kohli retuning to form, the Bangalore-based franchise is one of the top contenders to win the title this year.

Meanwhile, when asked to predict a possible winner for this season, Ab de Villers, who was recently inducted into the 'RCB Hall of Fame,' said that while he would love to see RCB win the trophy this year, he believes that Gujarat Titans are capable of achieving that goal.

"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.

He is still that 'busy' player: de Villiers on Kohli

A brilliant bowling performance and a massive 148-run partnership between Kohli and Du Plessis helped RCB start their IPL 2023 campaign on a winning note. Kohli scored an unbeaten 82 and finished the match with a six. Asked what changes he has noticed in Kohli's batting in recent years, the former South African skipper said:

"I have not seen much change, everything is similar. The technique looks solid; he has got good balance at the crease. He is still that 'busy' player with a lot of energy at the wicket. 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…," de Villiers said.

Here's how fans reacted: 

Gujarat RCB IPL Virat Kohli Ab de Villiers