Virat Kohli set for flop show in IPL 2025 final? AB de Villiers drops colossal prediction

Virat Kohli might have failed to deliver big in the Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s (RCB) dominant win over Punjab Kings in the IPL 2025 Qualifier 1, but one of his biggest fans and former teammate AB de Villiers predicted that the real fireworks are coming in the final.

The Royal Challengers Bengaluru stormed into the IPL 2025 final with an emphatic eight-wicket win, chasing down just 102 runs in 10 overs against Punjab Kings in Mullanpur.

Virat Kohli, who started the chase with intent, was dismissed by Kyle Jamieson for just 12 runs off 12 balls, but his poor outing with the bat didn't take away from his fierce energy and hunger on the field.

SHORTS

View More

Your daily dose of cricket!

Loading...

AB de Villiers predicts a big show from Virat Kohli in the IPL 2025 Final

Well, AB de Villiers, who was closely watching the action, has noticed something different in Virat Kohli, and that is a sharpness, a purpose, and the kind of intensity that hints at something big around the corner.

Read Also: Dewald Brevis rejected DC’s offer to replace Harry Brook, chose CSK deal for one key reason

AB de Villiers said on JioHotstar, “The first time I saw him (Virat Kohli) on the screen for the PBKS vs. RCB game was when he got out of the bus, and I just saw a lot of focus in that guy. That’s the typical kind of body language we’re so used to seeing.”

Even though the former RCB captain didn’t get many runs in the Qualifier, he was right there, celebrating, motivating, and showing what it means to be a true team player, as mentioned by the South African legend. He is already in India before the big IPL 2025 final on June 3 in Ahmedabad.

He added, “And what I love most about this is, he didn’t score runs today, but we still saw him right till the end, celebrating with the batters. The ultimate team man, and he looks very, very focused.”

AB de Villiers backs RCB to end IPL trophy drought this season

Royal Challengers Bengaluru have been part of the IPL since the inception of the tournament in 2008, but are still chasing their first title. They've come close three times before, including the heartbreaking 2016 final where they lost the trophy to Sunrisers Hyderabad.

But in this season, RCB made it to the finals, and De Villiers believes that this could finally be their moment, predicting title glory for Rajat Patidar and his team on June 3 at the Narendra Modi Stadium.

Read Also: Watch: Suyash Sharma reveals real reason behind his fierce celebration vs PBKS in Qualifier 1

He signed off by saying, “The job’s not done yet, but I’m very excited to watch him play. I do not doubt in my mind he’s going to play a big hand in the final.”

Rajat Patidar scripts history as RCB captain

Notably, RCB have made it to their fourth IPL final in 2025, and this time under new captain Rajat Patidar. He has now become the fifth Indian captain to reach the IPL final in his debut season as skipper.

Patidar becomes the fourth RCB captain after Anil Kumble (2009), Daniel Vettori (2011), and Virat Kohli (2016), who led the franchise to the IPL finals.

After losing three previous finals, RCB will now look to win their first-ever IPL trophy under Patidar’s captaincy.