‘Very happy’: AB de Villiers’s expresses delight as RCB qualifies in IPL final after 8 years

ANI

Mumbai, May 31, 2025 (ANI): AB de Villiers talks about Shubman Gill's appointment as India's Test Captain ahead of the England series, praising the young talent in India and the IPL's role in nurturing it. He also shares his thoughts on Virat Kohli’s retirement from Test cricket, acknowledging Kohli’s legacy and impact on the sport. Additionally, De Villiers expresses his excitement for Royal Challengers Bangalore’s progress into the IPL 2025 final, hoping this will be their year.

Transcript

00:00I'm very happy that RCB is in the final.

00:02I'm very much looking forward to the final and hopefully this will be there for RCB.

00:05I think he's done a lot for cricket around the world over the years.

00:09And yeah, so luckily we'll still see him on the cricket field.

00:13He will be missed in test matches, there's no doubt about it,

00:15but he leaves a great legacy with a red ball.

00:18Yes, it's time for the younger guys to step up.

00:22I saw Shipman Gill taking on the responsibility.

00:25There's lots of talent in India and largely credit to the IPL for that.

00:29What's your first thing? You have played very good people.

00:31What's your reaction with you? Can you comment on anything?

00:35Yes, we're at Islam Gymkhana Cricket Field.

00:39It was an absolute honour coming in here.

00:41First of all, very much welcomed by the people who organise these things over here, the admin.

00:47My first reaction was just a feeling of gratitude, inspiration.

00:53Watching these guys on their wheelchairs playing cricket with smiles on their faces,

00:58really enjoying it.

01:01And it's beautiful to see.

01:02And then something else came to mind,

01:04like really hoping that they'll get more opportunity in the future,

01:08better facilities, sponsorships for equipment.

01:12And I would love to play a role in that.

01:13But I had a lot of fun with these guys.

01:15They're all very talented cricketers.

01:17All have a great hand-eye coordination.

01:19And on top of it all, we just had a really enjoyable time together.

01:24Ebi, while you're playing the IPL, you're part of the RCB.

01:29Right now, RCB in the final.

01:32What's your feeling?

01:33I'm very happy that RCB is in the final.

01:36We saw MI winning last night.

01:38So it'll be a very good qualifier too.

01:41A knockout match between Punjab and MI.

01:44Looking forward to that one.

01:46And whoever deserves it will play RCB in the final.

01:48So I'm very much looking forward to the final.

01:50And hopefully this will be there for RCB.

01:52Sir, you have played with Virat Puli.

01:54But Virat Puli and Rojasama have announced retirement from the tennis cricket.

01:57Do you think it's a very early to announce retirement?

02:01I don't know.

02:03He must have listened to his heart.

02:05And time for him to move on in his opinion.

02:08And he followed his gut field.

02:09So I think he's done a lot for cricket around the world over the years.

02:14And yeah, so luckily we'll still see him on the cricket field.

02:17He will be missed in test matches.

02:19There's no doubt about it.

02:20But he leaves a great legacy with a red ball.

02:22Yes, it's time for the younger guys to step up.

02:39So Shubman Gill taking on the responsibility.

02:42There's lots of talent in India.

02:44And largely credit to the IPL for that.

02:47Really giving great exposure to some of the youngsters.

02:49At a very early age, we saw Vibe of Surah Vanshi this year.

02:54Many other youngsters that come in and they look like Matre.

02:59Too many to mention.

03:00They come in the first year and they look very mature and ready to play cricket.

03:03And it's a great platform for Indian cricket.

03:06So they've got to take some responsibility on in England.

03:09It'll be a tough test.

03:10But they have all the talent in the world.

03:12And if they believe, maybe they can achieve something special.

03:14One more question.

03:15Last question, we're talking about RCB.

03:17Right now, RCB in the final.

03:19Which team you think that it should be coming to the final?

03:22Punjab or Mumbai in England?

03:23I said quite a while ago, about a month ago, that Punjab and RCB will be in the final.

03:28MI look very strong right now.

03:30So it looks like the odds are against my goal.

03:33But it is still cricket.

03:35You never know.

03:35It is a knockout match.

03:37It takes one or two great performances to turn the pressure onto your position.

03:41So I think it's still going to be Punjab.

03:43But I've got a little bit of doubt now in my mind after watching last night's game.

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