It has not been even a week since the 2023 edition of IPL started and former RCB legend AB de Villiers has predicted the winner of the 16th season of the Indian Premier League. Recently former South Africa batter was inducted into ‘The RCB Hall of Fame’. While talking about the winner of IPL 2023, he said that he feels that Gujarat Titans can lift the trophy.
“Very difficult one. A long time ago, during the IPL auction, I had said that Gujarat Titans are going to go back-to-back. I am going to stick to that, even though I really want RCB to win. Since last year I have felt that they have a really great team, very well-balanced. They have enough power. Hopefully, RCB goes all the way,” AB de Villiers said to NDTV.
Former RCB stalwart also talked about former RCB skipper Virat Kohli. According to him, Virat has become calmer after he resigned from the role of captain of both RCB and the Indian team.
“I think letting the captaincy go last season played a big role in him relaxing. He was a fantastic captain but he did it for a long period of time both internationally and also at the IPL which can be daunting. You never get time off to chill or spend with family or have a laugh with some friends. I think that is his mantra for this season, just to go out and have fun, keep smiling,” de Villiers said.
“I have not seen much change, everything is similar. The technique looks solid; he has got good balance at the crease. He is still that ‘busy’ player with a lot of energy at the wicket.”
“I just feel, this season he has come in looking really fresh. I have seen some of his interviews where he is laughing more than ever…,” he added.
In their first match of the IPL 2023, Virat Kohli played an unbeaten inning of 82 runs and powered RCB to an eight-wicket triumph over Rohit Sharma’s Mumbai Indians. The Bangalore franchise will be locking horns against Kolkata Knight Riders at the Eden Gardens on Friday.