Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) legend AB de Villiers slammed the commentators for their critical remarks on his former side’s bowlers during the IPL 2025 league match against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). AB de Villiers stated that he got "so angry" at their "lazy and negative comments" on RCB bowlers.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru secured a thrilling six-wicket win over Lucknow Super Giants in a high-scoring clash at the Ekana Stadium on May 27. LSG posted a total of 227/3 after being asked to bat first. RCB completed the chase in just 18.4 overs and also sealed a top-two finish in the standings.
AB de Villiers’ Brutal Attack on RCB Critics Ahead of Qualifier 1
Speaking on his YouTube channel, AB de Villiers said that the commentators were overly negative, without naming anyone. The veteran cricketer added that the commentators should have considered the possibility that the pitch was simply excellent for batting.
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"I listened to the commentators last night, and honestly, it got me so angry. They were so negative when we were bowling," said de Villiers on his YouTube channel.
"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?"
Commentators Get Fixated on a Narrative - AB de Villiers
AB De Villiers said they focused too much on the idea that RCB’s bowling unit was underperforming. He pointed out that the pitch favored batters, as every LSG player looked comfortable at the crease.
"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. 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."
Rishabh Pant’s Unbeaten Century Helped LSG Post Massive Total
Rishabh Pant scored an unbeaten 118 runs off 61 balls, including 11 boundaries and 8 sixes. Nuwan Thushara, who made his debut for RCB, impressed with figures of 1/26 in four overs, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who finished with 1/46, dismissed the dangerous Mitchell Marsh, who scored 67 off 37.
In reply, Virat Kohli set the tone with 54 off 30 balls, his eighth fifty of the season. Stand-in skipper Jitesh Sharma sealed the win with a blazing 85 off just 33 deliveries, including 8 fours and 6 sixes. Liam Livingstone had a forgettable outing with a golden duck.*
Meanwhile, Josh Hazlewood and Tim David, who missed the game due to injuries, are expected to return for the crucial Qualifier 1.
With this victory, Bengaluru finished the league stage with 19 points from 14 matches and secured a top-two finish. They will next take on Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Qualifier 1 in Mullanpur, Chandigarh, on Thursday, May 29.
Also read: Watch- South African bowler grabs Bangladesh batsman's helmet; violence erupts
AB de Villiers gets in a feud with IPL commentators after landing in India
Published - 29 May 2025, 10:03 AM | Updated - 29 May 2025, 11:24 AM
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) legend AB de Villiers slammed the commentators for their critical remarks on his former side’s bowlers during the IPL 2025 league match against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). AB de Villiers stated that he got "so angry" at their "lazy and negative comments" on RCB bowlers.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru secured a thrilling six-wicket win over Lucknow Super Giants in a high-scoring clash at the Ekana Stadium on May 27. LSG posted a total of 227/3 after being asked to bat first. RCB completed the chase in just 18.4 overs and also sealed a top-two finish in the standings.
AB de Villiers’ Brutal Attack on RCB Critics Ahead of Qualifier 1
Speaking on his YouTube channel, AB de Villiers said that the commentators were overly negative, without naming anyone. The veteran cricketer added that the commentators should have considered the possibility that the pitch was simply excellent for batting.
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"I listened to the commentators last night, and honestly, it got me so angry. They were so negative when we were bowling," said de Villiers on his YouTube channel.
"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?"
Commentators Get Fixated on a Narrative - AB de Villiers
AB De Villiers said they focused too much on the idea that RCB’s bowling unit was underperforming. He pointed out that the pitch favored batters, as every LSG player looked comfortable at the crease.
"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. 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."
Rishabh Pant’s Unbeaten Century Helped LSG Post Massive Total
Rishabh Pant scored an unbeaten 118 runs off 61 balls, including 11 boundaries and 8 sixes. Nuwan Thushara, who made his debut for RCB, impressed with figures of 1/26 in four overs, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who finished with 1/46, dismissed the dangerous Mitchell Marsh, who scored 67 off 37.
In reply, Virat Kohli set the tone with 54 off 30 balls, his eighth fifty of the season. Stand-in skipper Jitesh Sharma sealed the win with a blazing 85 off just 33 deliveries, including 8 fours and 6 sixes. Liam Livingstone had a forgettable outing with a golden duck.*
Meanwhile, Josh Hazlewood and Tim David, who missed the game due to injuries, are expected to return for the crucial Qualifier 1.
With this victory, Bengaluru finished the league stage with 19 points from 14 matches and secured a top-two finish. They will next take on Punjab Kings (PBKS) in Qualifier 1 in Mullanpur, Chandigarh, on Thursday, May 29.
Also read: Watch- South African bowler grabs Bangladesh batsman's helmet; violence erupts
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AB de Villiers Royal Challengers Bangalore IPL Lucknow Super Giants LSG vs RCB Punjab Kings PBKS vs RCBAbout the Author
Sai Vaitla is an author at Cricketaddictor and he has been working since September 2022. Sai Vaitla... Read more