South African cricket legend AB de Villiers recently shared a fascinating anecdote about his former Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) teammate, Virat Kohli. He revealed that Kohli personally messaged him, urging him to stop using the famous RCB slogan, ‘Ee Sala Cup Namde,’ in public.
The phrase, which translates to “This year, the cup will be ours” in Kannada, has been a rallying cry for RCB fans for years. However, despite the team’s passionate supporters and consistent performances, RCB has never secured an IPL title in 18 seasons.
Speaking on Star Sports Press Room, AB de Villiers admitted that Kohli was serious about avoiding the slogan. “I said those words the other day, and I got a direct message from Virat telling me to stop saying it. I got into a bit of trouble for that. To be honest, even I’m tired of saying it every year that RCB will win the trophy,” he remarked.
WATCH – New Zealand PM Christopher Luxon Joins Kapil Dev For A Street Cricket Show in Delhi
The former RCB star also reflected on the immense challenge of winning the IPL, even likening it to winning a World Cup. “The IPL has 10 world-class teams, and every season is unpredictable. Factors like travel, team strategies, and injuries play a huge role. The teams that manage their energy well and make the most of their home conditions usually come out on top.”
AB DE VILLIERS REVEALED THAT VIRAT KOHLI ASKED HIM TO STOP SAYING ‘EE SALA CUP NAMDE.’
HE SAID, “I MENTIONED IT SOMEWHERE AND IMMEDIATELY GOT A TEXT FROM VIRAT TELLING ME NOT TO USE IT ANYMORE.” pic.twitter.com/cXDrpWPC6U— Divya Panda (@Sanatani8766) March 19, 2025
Despite the past heartbreaks, AB de Villiers remains hopeful for RCB’s future. “I really hope this is the year. If RCB wins, I will be there to lift the trophy with Virat!” he added.
For the 2025 season, RCB has ushered in a new era by appointing Rajat Patidar as captain. Patidar, who replaces Faf du Plessis, becomes the eighth player to lead the franchise. Du Plessis, meanwhile, has moved to Delhi Capitals.
ALSO READ: Shubman Gill Recalls Childhood IPL Memory Of Bowling To Sachin Tendulkar
With fresh leadership and renewed determination, RCB fans are once again hoping that this could finally be the season their team lifts the elusive IPL trophy.
