AB de Villiers leaves out RCB, Names this team as first favorites to win IPL 2023

AB de Villiers believes RCB can win IPL 2023, but acknowledges Gujarat Titans as favorites

Former RCB player and South African cricketing legend AB de Villiers has expressed his belief that Royal Challengers Bangalore can emerge victorious and win their first IPL title in 2023. However, De Villiers also acknowledges that there is another team who is currently considered the favorite to win. In their first game of the season, RCB led by Faf Du Plessis secured a convincing 8-wicket triumph against Mumbai Indians at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. Faf and Virat Kohli put in a strong performance by each scoring fifties, which helped RCB win their opening match in style. Having played for RCB for 11 seasons, De Villiers is optimistic about their chances of winning the tournament this year under the leadership of Faf.

“The Gujarat Titans are a really strong team, and probably the favorites in my opinion to win the tournament. But RCB have had a fantastic start, there's absolutely no doubt in my mind that they can win the tournament," De Villiers was quoted as saying in a virtual media interaction.

Although AB de Villiers believes that his former team, RCB, can emerge victorious in the IPL, he recognizes that the defending champions, Gujarat Titans, are still the favorites to win the title, having won their first two games of the season. Having played for RCB for a decade, de Villiers acknowledged that its early days in the tournament, but he remains optimistic that RCB will maintain their good form and is confident that the talented squad will go all the way.

“It's a long road ahead. There is a lot of things that need to fall in place, but there's no doubt in my mind (that) we (RCB) can win the tournament, and I'm hoping for the best. I don't want to get ahead of myself," De Villiers added.

“If we can just get through to the knockouts. It’s our first goal, and then anything can happen in those knockouts. We have the talent in the team, there's no doubt about it”.

Virat Kohli's impressive form is yet to reach its peak, says De Villiers

During RCB's first match of the season against Mumbai Indians at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, Kohli played a superb unbeaten knock of 82 runs off just 49 balls. Following a century drought, Kohli has made a remarkable comeback since the 2022 Asia Cup, scoring centuries in all three formats of the game on the international stage. Kohli's impressive form has carried over into the IPL, and as per AB de Villiers, the star batter is yet to display his best as he believes Kohli will produce more impressive performances during the rest of the IPL season.

“When he is having fun that natural talent takes over and he scores runs at ease which he did in that first innings. I think the best is yet to come and we are going to see some fireworks," De Villiers said.

On Thursday (April 6), RCB will play against Kolkata Knight Riders at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata, and they will be aiming to maintain their winning streak.