Former South Africa cricketer AB de Villiers shared an emotional letter after Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) clinched their maiden IPL title on June 3, ending an 18-year wait. Taking to social media, de Villiers posted a heartfelt video message titled “Dear RCB Family,” expressing his overwhelming emotions and admiration for the team’s historic triumph. “Last night was something that words will never fully do justice to,” he began, describing the electric atmosphere at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad during the IPL 2025 final.
As de Villiers walked into the stadium, he was struck by the sea of red and gold — a passionate display from RCB fans that made the neutral venue feel like the Chinnaswamy Stadium. He wrote, “What I witnessed was not just a cricket match, but a culmination of beliefs, heartbreaks, near misses, miracles, and undying loyalty.” The former RCB star, who spent a major part of his IPL career with the franchise, said that finally lifting the IPL trophy felt like a dream come true, one even better than he had imagined.
In his letter, de Villiers also praised the franchise’s foundation, leadership, and unwavering fanbase. He emphasized that the win was much more than just a title — it was the reward for years of hard work, perseverance, and belief. “RCB, the team that became family to me, are now champions of IPL. Wow, feels good to say that,” he added, while describing the moment as surreal and deeply fulfilling.
RCB, led by Rajat Patidar, defeated Punjab Kings by 6 runs in a thrilling IPL 2025 final to break their long-standing title drought. After posting 190/9 in the first innings, RCB’s bowlers delivered under pressure by taking key wickets at crucial moments. The victory not only marked a major milestone for the franchise but also stirred raw emotions in icons like Virat Kohli, whom de Villiers described standing “at long-off, right in front of me” — a moment that made the night unforgettable.
