South African legend AB de Villiers has thrown his support behind Virat Kohli, calling him the \u201cultimate team man\u201d and backing him to play a crucial role in the IPL 2025 final as Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) chase their elusive maiden title.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
RCB stormed into the final after crushing Punjab Kings by eight wickets in the first qualifier on Thursday. Chasing a modest target of 102, RCB\u2019s dominant win came despite Kohli scoring just 12 runs. However, De Villiers believes the Indian superstar is primed for a big performance in the title clash on June 3 in Ahmedabad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe first time I saw him in the PBKS vs RCB game, he was getting off the team bus \u2014 and there was that intense focus we\u2019ve come to expect from him,\u201d De Villiers told JioHotstar.
\u201cHe didn\u2019t score today, but what stood out was how present and involved he was \u2014 cheering his teammates, staying until the last run was scored. That\u2019s who Virat is \u2014 the ultimate team man. He\u2019s very focused, and I have no doubt he\u2019ll make a major impact in the final.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
RCB has been part of the IPL since its inception in 2008 and reached the final three times, but the title has eluded them so far. Reflecting on the team\u2019s journey, De Villiers remained hopeful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cPeople often talk about 2016, but I felt 2011 was a really good opportunity too. Still, the past is the past. Where are RCB now? In the 2025 final. They\u2019ve built a team with real balance \u2014 not one-dimensional anymore. There\u2019s depth in both the batting and bowling departments,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe way the squad came together after the auction impressed me. You can see that every player has contributed at some point \u2014 and that speaks to a healthy, united dressing room.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pace ace Josh Hazlewood made a strong comeback after missing a few matches, picking up 3\/21 and delivering a spell of high-quality fast bowling. RCB opener Phil Salt highlighted Hazlewood\u2019s value to the team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cJosh is huge for us \u2014 not just with his bowling, which is consistently world-class \u2014 but also with his presence. He\u2019s a calming influence in the bowling group,\u201d Salt said.
\u201cHe and Bhuvi [Bhuvneshwar Kumar] offer that steadying hand. Having Josh back, fit and firing, is the cherry on top.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
RCB now prepares to face their final hurdle on June 3, with a title win in sight and belief running high within the squad.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
South African legend AB de Villiers has thrown his support behind Virat Kohli, calling him the \u201cultimate team man\u201d and backing him to play a crucial role in the IPL 2025 final as Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) chase their elusive maiden title. RCB stormed into the final after crushing Punjab Kings by eight wickets in […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3391,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[36],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-3390","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-sports"},"yoast_head":"\n