Former South Africa captain AB de Villiers has thrown his weight behind Virat Kohli, calling him the “ultimate team man” and backing the Royal Challengers Bengaluru star to play a crucial role in the IPL 2025 final.
RCB stormed into the final with an eight-wicket win over Punjab Kings in Qualifier 1 on Thursday.
“The first time I saw him on screen during the Punjab Kings vs RCB game, I noticed that intense focus. He didn’t score runs, but he celebrated with the batters till the end. That’s what makes him the ultimate team man,” De Villiers said on JioHotstar.
De Villiers thinks Kohli, who has already scored over 600 runs this season, is primed for a defining knock in the final on June 3 in Ahmedabad. “He looks very focused. The job’s not done yet, but I have no doubt he will play a big hand.
“RCB got the balance right at the auction. It’s not a one-dimensional side anymore. Every player has contributed — that’s a sign of a healthy environment,” the former RCB captain said.
Opener Phil Salt, who scored a match-winning 56 not out off 27 balls couldn’t hide his feelings.
“When you put so much in through the group stages... and then with the restart as well, to get the reward of going to a final is a great feeling. I knew that it was very much a case of: bat well, we win the game,” Salt said.
