IPL 2023 | 'Even Gayle & I Won't Get a Chance ...': A Blunt AB de Villiers on RCB


image-lfqpek02IPL 2023: Kohli, De Villiers & Gayle has been the backbone of RCB's batting (RCB)

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) are the most celebrated franchise that has never won the Indian Premier League. However, despite being unwed at the trophy, their fandom has been top-notch, thanks to the masterful trio of Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers and Chris Gayle.

Kohli is still playing, but the two foreign recruits have retired from the league. Ahead of the upcoming edition of the IPL, RCB honoured their two superstar cricketers, Gayle and De Villiers, by retiring their respective jersey numbers, 333 and 17. The duo were inducted into RCB's Hall of Fame in the Unbox Event on Sunday.

Gayle and De Villiers were presented with Medals of Honour at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, where they talked about the team's chance this season. The legendary West Indies opener stated that he still can play in the IPL, whereas the former Proteas skipper didn't second Gayle.

"Absolutely, I would love that. I am ready," Gayle said at the RCB Unbox event.

"I think the team is too good at the moment. We (Gayle and I) won't get a chance in the starting XI. We would rather be fans and support the boys to bring the Trophy back home," De Villiers stated.

The former South African cricketer further predicted Bangalore's chances at the silverware. He also chanted RCB fans' favourite slang of 'Ee Saala Cup Namde', which means the (IPL's) trophy will be our's this year.

The Bangalore team has played three IPL finals so far and has been consistently playing playoffs since IPL 2020. And under the leadership of Faf du Plessis, they are considered a contender to make it to the top four this year.