Former Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) player AB de Villiers has applauded the team following their back-to-back wins over Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in their first two away games in IPL 2025 as well. Citing Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s example, he added that the team has both balance and depth this time around as well.
Ab de Villiers said on his YouTube channel (via NDTV): “I saw Bhuvi and thought ‘he wasn’t going to play and he came in’. That’s what you want. You want guys like ‘wow is this guy the replacement’. He’s not even in the starting lineup in the first game (vs KKR) and now they are getting Bhuvi Kumar to replace someone int he second game. This is the kind of balance and depth you need in the side.”
“The defending champions, KKR… to beat them away from home at the star of thr campaign, and also CSK whose record at Chepauk, is absolutely incredible. From here, the road actually gets easier for RCB as we look at the points table. RCB are right on top; the only team with two wins and a fantastic bet run rate,” he further added.
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However, AB de Villiers said that after RCB beat CSK in Chennai for the first time since the inaugural IPL 2008 season as well. He also shared that it would be too early to comment on RCB’s chances in IPL 2025 as well. AB de Villiers also stated that the RCB squad is 10 times better than the last team following the IPL 2025 auction as well.
He said: “Great start for RCB and it really is looking good. We are not going into the space of, ‘Is this the year (RCB will win the IPL)?’ “But I do believe this is the best start RCB have ever had, not only from the results point of view but also from the way the squad looks and how free they look out there especially playing away from home. The balance of the RCB squad is 10 times better compared to previous seasons. At the (IPL) auction (last year), I spoke about RCB needing balance. It’s not about the bowlers, batters or fielders… it’s about having a sound balance in IPL teams and options,” he added.
“It can keep the squad together especially when you find a bit of momentum to jump around like that… you often find yourself travelling together. If you have four home games in a row, you sort of lose feel for the players. Guys do different things, they go to restaurants at night and you sort of lose that touch and the connection between the squad,” de Villiers again added.
“Rajat Patidar’s knock was crucially important — 50 odd runs in 30-odd balls. And from a Chennai point of view, they dropped him a few times, that was the game-changing moment that CSK needed. He’s (Patidar) been very calm out there as a young captain, a captain who is trying to fill huge boots of Virat Kohli. It’s not easy, it can be intimidating. He must be feeling the pressure but he is not showing any signs. He is batting beautifully, he’s taking very clear decision on the field. I feel this calmness, composure and clarity are very important especially when you are playing against big teams like CSK and KKR away from home. He didn’t allow a couple of dropped catches and bad shots affect the next ball,” AB de Villiers concluded.
