Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are just one win away from ending their 18-year-long wait for an IPL title, and former star AB de Villiers believes this is their year. But in a light-hearted twist, he revealed that RCB legend Virat Kohli has banned him from saying the iconic fan chant “Ee Sala Cup Namde”.
‘Kohli Told Me I’m Not Allowed’ – ABD on Iconic Chant
In a post-match chat with ESPNcricinfo, AB de Villiers shared how Virat Kohli playfully asked him to stop using the famous Kannada slogan “Ee Sala Cup Namde,” which translates to “This year the cup is ours.”
“Virat told me I’m not allowed to say that anymore,” said ABD. “But I truly believe RCB is going all the way this season. So stay tuned, buckle up, and enjoy the ride.”
The ban may be superstitious or just playful banter, but the belief in RCB’s title chances is stronger than ever.
RCB Crush PBKS to Storm into Final
RCB secured a comprehensive 8-wicket win over Punjab Kings in Qualifier 1, bowling them out for just 101 in 14.1 overs.
Key performances:
- Josh Hazlewood: 3/21
- Suyash Sharma: 3/17
- Yash Dayal & Bhuvneshwar Kumar: Tight spells in the powerplay
In the chase, Phil Salt smashed an unbeaten 56 off 27 balls, guiding RCB to victory in just 10 overs. This marks RCB’s first IPL final appearance since 2016.
ABD Credits Team Effort Behind RCB’s Success
De Villiers credited RCB’s consistent performances to team-wide contributions, not just reliance on stars like Kohli.
“It’s not just Virat or a Chris Gayle like before. This season, everyone’s stepping up under pressure, and that’s what makes this squad special,” he said.
RCB now await the winner of Qualifier 2, which will be played between Punjab Kings and the winner of the Eliminator, for the final in Ahmedabad on June 3.
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