“I Am Very Happy RCB Is in the Final”: AB de Villiers Reacts to Bengaluru’s Big IPL 2025 Moment

RCB legend AB de Villiers celebrates as Royal Challengers Bengaluru storm into their first IPL final in nine years after crushing Punjab Kings in Qualifier 1.

Arun Upadhayay 3 weeks agoLast Updated: June 8, 2025

5 3 minutes read

The wait is over — at least for one part of the journey. After nearly a decade of heartbreak, false dawns, and dashed hopes, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are finally back in the IPL final. And no one’s smile was wider than AB de Villiers.

“I am very happy that RCB is in the final,” said the former RCB legend, grinning from ear to ear in a post-match segment that instantly lit up social media. Five simple words. But for millions of fans — and maybe even a few current players — they hit home.

Because AB’s not just another retired cricketer. He’s the guy. The one who made RCB believers out of skeptics, the one who turned lost causes into miracles. So when he says he’s happy — it means something.

RCB’s Most Clinical Performance in Years

This wasn’t a close one. Not even remotely.

In Qualifier 1, RCB turned up like a team possessed, reducing Punjab Kings (PBKS) — the table-toppers, mind you — to a total of 101 in 14.1 overs. Suyash Sharma was unplayable. His 3 for 14 spell didn’t just derail Punjab’s start; it broke their back. The rest? Josh Hazlewood, Yash Dayal, and some smart rotation did the rest.

And with the bat? Oh, that was a demolition job. Phil Salt was in a different zone altogether. He finished unbeaten on 56 from 27 balls. There were no nerves, no wasted deliveries, and certainly no sense of playing it safe. RCB hunted down the target in just 62 balls. It wasn’t a match — it was a mauling.

De Villiers on the Side He Helped Shape

AB watched the game from South Africa, but you could tell he was emotionally in the dugout. “They’ve played great cricket. Salt was fantastic. The bowlers were even better,” he said. “It’s good to see young leaders stepping up.”

That last line felt particularly important. Rajat Patidar, who led the side in the absence of du Plessis and Kohli in leadership roles, has quietly emerged as one of the season’s most composed captains. He didn’t even say much at the post-match presentation — just a calm, “One more to go.”

De Villiers knows a thing or two about unfinished business. He was there in 2016, the last time RCB reached the final. That campaign — powered by AB and Kohli at their peak — ended in heartbreak at the hands of Hyderabad.

So yes, he wants this one. Badly.

Mumbai, Punjab, and the Road Ahead

With RCB already through, attention now shifts to Qualifier 2, where Mumbai Indians (MI) face off against Punjab Kings for the other final berth.

AB gave a measured view. “Mumbai are peaking at the right time. Rohit looked in full flow. Punjab, though, will want to set things right. No team likes to go down like they did today.”

Mumbai got to this point by eliminating Gujarat Titans (GT) with a 20-run win — a result that featured an all-time death bowling masterclass from Jasprit Bumrah and another Rohit Sharma special (81 off 50). Gujarat made a fight of it, thanks to Sai Sudharsan’s 80, but the chase was always one step behind the ask.

Now, it’s winner-takes-all between Mumbai and Punjab on Sunday. But let’s be honest — all roads lead to that IPL 2025 final. And that’s where the real weight sits.

A Chance to Rewrite History

RCB’s relationship with finals has been… complicated. Three appearances. Zero trophies. And every fan, every neutral, every former player knows that story too well.

So when AB de Villiers says, “Hopefully this will be the year for RCB,” it’s not wishful thinking. It’s layered — with years of frustration, near-misses, iconic knocks, and unfinished chapters.

This team, though, might just be different. They don’t rely on one man. They don’t collapse under pressure. They haven’t been perfect — but they’ve been peaking when it matters. And in a league as wild and brutal as the IPL, that’s often what counts.

The fans are already dreaming. Patidar is staying grounded. Salt’s bat is hot. The bowling attack looks sharper than ever. And AB de Villiers — the heartbeat of a franchise he never really left — is smiling again.

Credit – SportsStar

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Author Profile

Arun Upadhayay

Sports Contributor at Hindustan Herald | Web

Arun Upadhayay is a sports journalist and former district-level cricketer with over four years of experience in event production and digital content. Currently freelancing with the India Today Group, Arun brings a deep understanding of sports and storytelling. His work blends expert analysis, live event insights, and engaging coverage of the game.