AB de Villiers Wrote Letter To RCB Family On June 04, Has Finally Shared It
An icon in the global cricketing spectrum, AB de Villiers was present at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on June 03 as his former franchise, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) lifted its maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) title. As RCB beat the Gujarat Titans in the final, the 18-year-long agony finally came to an end. The next day, en route to South Africa on the flight, De Villiers wrote a letter for RCB fans that probably couldn't be shared because of the stampede in Bengaluru that saw 11 people lose their lives. However, the South African legend finally decided to share the contents of the letter on June 12.
De Villiers celebrated with RCB players, especially Virat Kohli in Ahmedabad, as the franchise got its hands on the trophy. In his letter, De Villiers recalled the heartbreaks, near-misses, emotions that RCB and their fans went through over the years.
"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.
"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.
A Letter to the RCB Family
Written on 4 June 2025
En-route from Ahmedabad to Johannesburg, SA #RCB pic.twitter.com/UmtVh3FxDD
— AB de Villiers (@ABdeVilliers17) June 11, 2025
"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 further said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
an hour ago
- News18
Gautam Gambhir Returns To India From England Due To Medical Emergency: Report
Last Updated: Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir has reportedly returned home from England days before the Tendulkar-Anderson trophy due to a family emergency. Indian men's head coach Gautam Gambhir has reportedly been forced to return to India from England due to a medical emergency just days before the start of the Tendulkar-Anderson Trophy on June 20. According to Sportstar, his mother, Seema, has suffered a cardiac arrest and is currently in Intensive Care. Gambhir reached England with the team on June 7. This is his fourth Test series as the head coach. He reportedly missed India's net session on June 12, too, and is no longer with the squad. The date of his possible return is currently uncertain, though some reports say he might come back by next week. Gambhir's return comes on the day of India's intra-squad game. The match, likely to be played between teams drawn from the senior and India 'A' squads, will be played behind closed doors in Leeds, i.e., it won't be broadcast or streamed, and a scorecard is unlikely to be available either. According to news agency PTI, assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate will assume the charge for the match. Bowling coach Morne Morkel and batting coach Sitanshu Kotak will assist him. It's the last bit of red-ball preparation for several first-time members, who are coming straight from the IPL. The first Test will be played in Headingley from next Friday. Earlier, Gambhir gave a stirring motivational speech to his young team about moving on from the retirements of greats like Virat Kohli, Ravichandran Ashwin, and previous captain Rohit Sharma. 'All I want to say is there are two ways of looking at this group. One is that we are without our three most experienced players, or we've got this phenomenal opportunity to do something special," Gambhir said in a video shared by the BCCI, which was shot before his departure. 'And when I look around this group, the hunger, the passion and the commitment to do something special… If we make sacrifices, if we come out of our comfort zones, if we start fighting, not every day, but every session, every hour and every ball, I think we can have a memorable tour. So make sure we start that today. Start enjoying playing for the country because there's no bigger honour," he added. First Published:
Mint
an hour ago
- Mint
Cricket-South Africa look to discard chokers tag as WTC glory beckons
LONDON, June 13 (Reuters) - Following decades of falling agonisingly short of success, South African cricket sits on the cusp of a first major triumph with 69 runs needed to win the World Test Championship at Lord's on Saturday. South Africa have eight wickets in hand and are now overwhelming favourites to finish off the job, and take the title away from champions Australia, who had set them a daunting fourth innings target of 282 in the final on Friday. Led by Aiden Markram's unbeaten century, they doggedly chased down the runs and will be looking to get over the line when action resumes on day four on Saturday. But, at the same time, the Class of 2025 will be only too aware that past South African teams have been labelled 'chokers' for consistently coming up short when victory is in sight. Therefore, the first thing coach Shukri Conrad said to Markram and captain Temba Bavuma after their unbeaten 143-run partnership on Friday was to ensure they stuck to their usual routine. 'Don't change a thing. Tomorrow morning, come and do the same warm up that you do every day. Just the same processes,' he told them. Assistant coach Ashwill Prince was determined not to get too excited about the potential win, even if it is tantalisingly close. 'We obviously understand the magnitude of the situation and what's at stake. But they've just got to stay calm and take it in their stride,' he said at the end of Friday's play. South African cricket's reputation comes from a long list of near-misses in World Cup semi-finals, including falling foul to a now-discredited rain rule or coming off second best even when the match ended up tied. Last year they reached their first major final at the Twenty20 World Cup in Barbados, but with only 26 runs needed off the last four overs, fell seven runs short as India snatched an unlikely victory. For this team, the message has been clear, added Prince. 'Make them believe that they can do it, and then just sort of step out of the way and allow them to go and do it,' he said. 'But there is a very right bond in that change room. They are willing each other over the line,' Prince added. (Editing by Pritha Sarkar)
United News of India
2 hours ago
- United News of India
South Africa 94/2 at tea, need 188 to win WTC final
London, Jun 13 (UNI) The ICC World Test Championship Final at Lord's is finely poised as South Africa reached 94 for 2 at tea on the third day, needing 188 more runs to defeat Australia and claim their maiden WTC title. Chasing a target of 288, the Proteas made a cautious start but were pegged back early when Mitchell Starc removed Ryan Rickelton cheaply for six with the new ball. Despite the early setback, Aiden Markram and Wiaan Mulder responded with positive strokeplay, stitching together a fluent half-century stand. However, just as the partnership was gaining momentum, Starc struck again to dismiss Mulder for 27, a soft dismissal that gave Australia a much-needed breakthrough. Temba Bavuma, the South African skipper, joined Markram and had a shaky start, surviving a chance on 2 and needing on-field treatment for a hamstring niggle. He remained unbeaten at the break. Markram looked solid at the other end, playing some crisp strokes en route to an unbeaten 49. The pitch, while appearing benign for most part, has shown occasional variable bounce, keeping the Australian bowlers interested. Earlier in the day, Starc's counterattacking half-century lifted Australia to 207 in their second innings. Coming in with the lead under 230, the left-arm pacer remained unbeaten on 58 and added 59 crucial runs with Josh Hazlewood (17) for the 10th wicket, frustrating the South African bowlers. Kagiso Rabada was the standout performer with the ball, finishing with nine wickets in the match. South Africa now require another 188 runs with eight wickets in hand to claim victory, while Australia will look to their experienced pace attack to close out the match and secure a second consecutive WTC crown. As the final session of Day 3 approaches, the game hangs in the balance — setting the stage for a thrilling finish to the WTC cycle. UNI BDN SSP
