Former South African cricket captain AB de Villiers has expressed his unwavering confidence in his former Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) teammate, Virat Kohli, ahead of the highly anticipated IPL 2024 season.
Kohli, who recently took a hiatus from cricket to be with his wife Anushka Sharma for the birth of their son Akaay, is poised to make his return to action and lead RCB in the tournament opener against the formidable Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on March 22 in Chennai.
AB de Villiers, known for his astute cricketing insights, took to his YouTube channel to shower praise on Kohli’s illustrious IPL career. With over 7,000 runs to his name in 200 matches, Kohli stands as the highest run-scorer in the history of the tournament, showcasing unparalleled talent and unwavering consistency. De Villiers expressed his eagerness to witness Kohli’s masterful displays once again, highlighting his pivotal role in the RCB lineup.
The absence of Kohli during his break was keenly felt by RCB and their fans alike. De Villiers acknowledged this void but remained optimistic about Kohli’s return, emphasizing the anticipation surrounding his comeback. Labeling Kohli as a stalwart of the game, de Villiers expressed genuine excitement about witnessing his teammate’s return to the cricketing arena and delivering stellar performances.
Shifting focus to RCB’s bowling arsenal, de Villiers applauded the depth and talent within the team. Led by the dynamic Mohammed Siraj, RCB boasts a formidable bowling lineup featuring the likes of Lockie Ferguson, Reece Topley, Alzarri Joseph, and Karn Sharma. De Villiers believes that this formidable bowling unit, coupled with Kohli’s leadership and batting prowess, positions RCB as genuine contenders for the IPL title.
In addition to Kohli’s return and the team’s bowling strength, de Villiers highlighted the resurgence of RCB skipper Faf du Plessis. Despite a recent dip in form, du Plessis exhibited glimpses of his best towards the latter stages of the SA20, providing a significant boost to RCB’s batting lineup.
With a well-rounded squad brimming with talent across all departments, de Villiers exuded confidence in RCB’s prospects for IPL 2024. As the anticipation builds and cricket enthusiasts eagerly await the commencement of the tournament, de Villiers signed off with a bold proclamation, firmly believing that RCB possesses the necessary ingredients to clinch the coveted IPL title in the upcoming season.