AB de Villiers, a legend of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), blasted the pundits for their criticism of his old team during Tuesday, May 27,’s IPL 2025 match against the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). Those who were critiquing RCB’s bowlers during LSG’s batting innings without considering the available pitch were the target of De Villiers’ comments.
LSG scored a huge 227/3 in 20 overs, led by captain Rishabh Pant’s stunning hit of 118* off 61 deliveries. With six wickets remaining, RCB rallied spectacularly, finishing the run chase in just 18.4 overs. Additionally, it was the most successful run chase in RCB’s history.
AB De Villiers discussed the match on his YouTube channel, as reported by India Today:
“I listened to the commentators last night, and honestly, it got me so angry. They went on about how RCB’s bowling unit was once again in poor form. As I watched the match, I thought: sometimes commentators get fixated on a narrative. Yes, RCB have never won a title, but it’s lazy to keep saying, ‘Here we go again. The bowlers are failing, they’re useless,’ without properly analysing what’s happening on the field.”
AB de Villiers
He continued:
“They were so negative when we were bowling. They kept saying, ‘RCB’s bowling is under pressure. They don’t look like they’re going to manage it. Once again, an in-form team is starting to lose momentum.’ But what about this-maybe it was just a really good batting wicket, guys? To all you very clever and sharp commentators out there, how about considering the possibility that it was an excellent surface for batting?”
AB de Villiers
The win helped RCB finish second in the points Table, giving them two opportunities to go to the final.
AB de Villiers says Rishabh Pant can’t score big on tough pitches
AB de Villiers continued to blast the experts, citing Rishabh Pant’s century as additional evidence that the pitch was ideal for batting. Before the RCB match, the LSG captain had only scored a single half-century, yet he looked flawless right away.
“Rishabh Pant is not going to score 118 off 60-odd balls on a tricky, very difficult pitch. All the LSG batters were fluent out there. Yes, there was some poor bowling at times. But ultimately, one must look at the bigger picture-227 runs on a wicket that typically doesn’t support such batting suggests it was simply a very good surface. RCB were still in the contest; they weren’t blown away, and they proved that.”
AB de Villiers
RCB finished in the top two for the first time since the 2016 IPL season, when De Villiers and Virat Kohli shined with the bat. On Thursday, May 29, they will play Qualifier 1 against the Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Mullanpur.
