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'I'll feel emotional on May 31': AB de Villiers sends big message after Virat Kohli reunion as RCB chase back-to-back IPL titles originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- RCB beat GT by 92 runs to book their place in the May 31 final.
- AB de Villiers watched from commentary as his former team thrashed GT.
- ABD is counting on RCB to successfully defend the trophy they won in 2025.
AB de Villiers backs RCB to win their second IPL trophy on May 31
AB de Villiers made his way to the commentary box at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala when Royal Challengers Bengaluru took on Gujarat Titans in the first qualifier of the Indian Premier League 2026.
The South African is an RCB veteran, and his former team did not disappoint, sealing a spot in the summit clash on May 31 after beating GT by 92 runs.
RCB batted first and made 254/5 in 20 overs. Virat Kohli set the tone with a composed 43 off 25 balls, whereas Devdutt Padikkal contributed 30 off 19, and Krunal Pandya kept the foot on the pedal with 43 off 28.
MORE: Amateurs to seasoned champs: RCB's IPL transformation
But the night belonged to captain Rajat Patidar, who finished unbeaten on 93 off just 33 balls, with the final six overs of RCB's innings producing a massive 114 runs.
Meanwhile, GT's chase fell apart almost from the start. Sai Sudharsan was dismissed hit wicket for 14, Shubman Gill scratched around for just 2 off 7, and though Jos Buttler briefly threatened with 29 off 11 balls, Josh Hazlewood castled him soon.
However, it was Jacob Duffy who shone the brightest among RCB bowlers. He led the attack with 3/39, Bhuvneshwar Kumar took 2/28, Rasikh Salam claimed 2/24, and Krunal Pandya rounded off a superb all-round night with 2/16.
MORE: 'RCB have cracked the IPL formula': Andy Flower and coaching unit hailed
WATCH: AB de Villiers and Kohli share a hug after IPL playoff victory vs GT
After the final wicket fell, the camera found AB de Villiers and Virat Kohli embracing on the ground.
The Protea batsman spent years at RCB without a title, living through some of the most heartbreaking near-misses the IPL has seen. Now, although watching from the commentary box, the emotions run high.
When presenter Mayanti Langer asked him: "Does it feel emotional for you AB, now that you are in commentary, over Virat's batting, when you are watching him play this way, when you are watching him evolve his game to this level?", De Villiers kept it brief and to the point.
He said: "Not yet. I'll feel emotional on the 31st for the second trophy."
A special meet-up we always love to see
Scorecardhttps://t.co/9rs6u5obOw#TATAIPL | #Qualifier1 | #TheFinalLeap | #RCBvGT | @RCBTweets | @ABdeVilliers17 | @imVkohlipic.twitter.com/t7HPajkh79
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 26, 2026
MORE: Holder's fiery celebration in front of Kohli after dismissing him again in IPL 2026
The Cricket News Opinion: Can RCB defend their title in Ahmedabad?
De Villiers spent the best years of his cricket life trying to win the IPL with RCB, but he never did. If this team wins on May 31, it will not just be a second consecutive title, but it will carry the weight of everything that came before it.
Kohli was there for all of it, too. The fact that both men could be part of this moment, even in different roles, makes it more wholesome.
There will likely be tears in Ahmedabad on the 31st night. Hope they are happy ones for De Villiers.
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