IPL 2025: AB de Villiers reveals Virat Kohli has banned him from using the phrase “Ee Sala Cup Namde”

Former RCB batter AB de Villiers has disclosed that the opening batter Virat Kohli has banned him from using the famous Kannada phrase ‘Ee Sala Cup Namde’, which translates to ‘This year the cup is ours’. 

Notably, RCB has entered the grand finale for the fourth time after defeating the Punjab Kings in the first qualifier in the IPL 2025 season at the New Chandigarh in Mullanpur on Thursday, May 29.

"The time has come. RCB is going all the way. I'm not allowed to say the Bengaluru terms because Virat told me I'm not allowed to say that anymore. But I truly believe we are going all the way this season. So stay tuned, buckle up and enjoy the ride," De Villiers told ESPNCricinfo.

After RCB defeated LSG in the last league game of the season, they secured the top two spot and made it to the Qualifier 1 vs PBKS. Moreover, De Villiers explained the reasons behind RCB’s domination in IPL 2025.

"What excites me most this season is that multiple players are stepping up, not just one or two. It's not just the usual Virat Kohli or, back in the day, Chris Gayle. Now, we see the whole squad responding under pressure," he added.

Moving into the details of Qualifier 1, PBKS was tasked to bat first after losing the toss. However, they got bundled out for 101 runs in 14.1 overs. Marcus Stoinis was the top scorer with 26 runs in 17 balls, while Suyash Sharma scalped three important wickets.

In the chase, RCB took 10 overs to finish off the game with eight wickets in hand. Phil Salt was the star of the show in the chase, smacking 56* runs in 27 balls with six fours and three sixes.

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