AB de Villiers has supported Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s ace batsman Virat Kohli to perform big for the squad in the forthcoming Indian Premier League season (IPL 2024).
The former South African captain predicted that Virat Kohli will play at his vintage best this season. De Villiers reacted on his YouTube channel, highlighting the seasoned campaigner’s incredible record in league history:
“Stalwart, King Kohli, over 7000 runs, over 200 IPL matches—that’s simply incredible. That’s like a career in itself. Virat will be back. We’ve missed him dearly, and absolutely cannot wait to watch the best of him this coming season.”
AB de Villiers
Virat Kohli is the IPL’s highest run-scorer. The former RCB captain has scored 7263 runs. Last season, he performed excellently, accumulating 639 runs in 14 matches. His batting prowess is truly unmatched.
AB De Villiers also discussed how Faf du Plessis has battled with form since the end of IPL 2023. He did, however, emphasize that the seasoned batsman has recently displayed flashes of brilliance, which are encouraging indicators for Bengaluru.
He added:
“He has had a little bit of a dip in form of late, but towards the back end of the SA20, he started finding his feet again, which boasts well for RCB this season.”
AB de Villiers
RCB had an unsatisfying season, ending up sixth on the points table. However, du Plessis shone as a batter, accumulating 730 runs across 14 matches. This tally made him the second-highest run-scorer in IPL 2023, a remarkable achievement.
“There’s very nice depth this time around” – AB de Villiers on RCB’s bowling lineup
RCB has always depended on its top-order heavy guns to do the job for them. AB de Villiers, on the other hand, believes that their current bowling assault may influence the game this time.
He believes Bengaluru has adequate depth in its bowling department this year, adding:
“The bowling department, led by Mohammed Siraj, plays a huge role in that bowling department. I think there’s very nice depth this time around, and I think that’s one of the big reasons I feel RCB is going to go all the way this year.”
AB de Villiers
De Villiers also mentioned how the RCB have had constant support from supporters at their home venue, the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. He hoped that the audience will be the same this year.
“Playing at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, there’s absolutely no better ground in the world to play cricket at. It’s so loud and they get behind their team like no other fanbase. I’m pretty sure nothing will be different this season.”
AB de Villiers
On Friday, March 22, RCB will face reigning champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at MA Chidambaram Stadium in the first match of the IPL 2024.
