AB de Villiers recalls RCB’s painful 18-year wait for IPL trophy in emotional video-OxBig News Network

Legendary South Africa batter AB de Villiers recalled Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) long wait for an Indian Premier League (IPL) trophy in an emotional video shared with fans on social media. RCB finally ended their 17-year-long drought for IPL triumph as they beat Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the 2025 final to clinch their maiden title.

Following RCB’s achievement, de Villiers, who played for the franchise for 11 years, recalled his emotions during the big final. The swashbuckling batter shared how the RCB fans had made it a home game for their team even at a neutral enue through their massive support.

“Dear RCB family, Last night was something words will never fully do justice to, but I will try, because the heart deserves to speak when it is full. As I walked into the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, the sun had already dipped below the skyline, but it felt like the red of RCB still lit up the horizon. A neutral venue, they said, but when I heard the roar, saw the jerseys, the flags, the faces painted with red and gold, I knew this was home,” said de Villiers in a video shared on his X account.

Furthermore, De Villiers called the victory a culmination of belief, heartbreaks, miracles and undying loyalty from the fans.

“What I witnessed was not just a cricket match, but a culmination. A culmination of belief, heartbreaks, near misses, miracles, and an undying loyalty that no trophy, until now, had been able to reward. But last night, it happened. RCB, the team that became family to me, are the champions of the IPL. Well, it feels good to say that,” he added.

De Villiers also opened up on his priceless moment with Virat Kohli near the boundary during the final stages of the match as the emotions got the better of the batting duo.

“And then, as if the night hadn’t already stirred every emotion, there was Virat, standing at long off, right in front of me. Our eyes met for a brief moment, and that was all it took. We did not need words. In that quiet exchange, everything was understood. The years, the near misses, the weight we had both carried for this dream. There were tears, yes, but more than that, there was a deep, unspoken knowing. We have shared countless innings, conversations, and battles together, but the words he spoke after the game, the way he acknowledged our journey, contributions, and shared memories, it touched a part of me that few things in this game ever have. That moment reminded me. It is not about the numbers,” de Villiers said.

De Villiers is the second-highest run scorer for RCB in their history, with 4522 runs from 145 innings at an average of 41.10 with two hundreds and 37 fifties to his name. He also holds the record for most Player of the Match awards won in IPL history (25). However, despite his massive contributions, RCB could never win the IPL trophy during his playing days. Hence, he was delighted to finally see his team win the elusive title.