AB de Villiers, RCB Hall of Famer, praised the team for their back-to-back wins over KKR and CSK in IPL 2025’s opening away games. He highlighted Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s performance, noting RCB’s improved balance and depth this season.
In their recent matches, the Rajat Patidar-led team triumphed over KKR by seven wickets and then secured a 50-run win over CSK, propelling them to the top of the IPL 2025 points table.
AB de Villiers expressed his views. “I initially thought Bhuvi wouldn’t play, but then he stepped in. That’s exactly what you need players who keep you guessing, ‘Is this guy the replacement?’ He wasn’t even in the starting lineup for the first game (vs KKR), and now they’re bringing in Bhuvi Kumar as a replacement for the second game. This kind of depth and balance is crucial for the team.”
“Beating defending champions KKR at home and CSK, with their strong Chepauk record, is a huge achievement. RCB’s path now looks smoother, sitting at the top of the points table with two wins and a great net run rate,” de Villiers added.
“RCB have made a great start, and things are looking positive. While it’s too early to say, ‘Is this the year RCB wins the IPL?’ it’s undoubtedly the best start they’ve ever had—not just in terms of results but also the squad’s overall appearance and how free they look on the field, particularly when playing away.”
AB de Villiers further stated that the RCB squad is 10 times better than the previous one after the IPL 2025 auction.
“RCB has a much better balance this ten season. Last year, I mentioned the importance of balance—it’s not just about having the right bowlers, batters, or fielders, but a well-rounded team with multiple options.”
“Rajat Patidar’s performance was crucial, as he made almost 50 runs from 30 balls. They dropped him a few times for Chennai, and that moment turned the game in RCB’s favor.”
“This calmness, composure, and clarity are vital, particularly when playing against big teams like CSK and KKR away from home. He didn’t let the dropped catches or poor shots affect him. He stayed focused on the next ball,” he concluded.