Former South African batsman AB de Villiers has made an important statement about his return to Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) before the IPL 2026 season. De Villiers expressed his desire to mentor or coach to Royal Challengers Bangalore in future, spent most of his IPL career with franchisees.
AB de Villiers started his IPL career with Delhi Capital in the inaugural edition of the tournament. He played the three season (2008–2010) for the franchise. The batsman played 28 matches and scored an average of 671 runs at 31.95 and a strike rate of 117.31, including a century and three half -centuries.
AB de Villiers chose Royal Challengers Bangalore ahead of IPL 2021
AB de Villiers was selected by Royal Challengers Bangalore before IPL 2021. He scored 4,491 runs for RCB in 156 matches, which included two centuries and 37 half -centuries at an impressive average of 41.20 and a strike rate of 158.64.
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The standout of the right -handed batsman came in the IPL season 2016, when he scored 687 runs and finished third on the batting chart of the tournament. He also shared a record 229-run second-caner partnership with Virat Kohli against Gujarat Lions.
Overall, de Villiers scored 5,162 runs in 184 matches in two franchises at a strike rate of 151.68, including three centuries and 40 fifties. RCB honored him in 2022 by including Chris Gayle in his hall of fame.
My heart is with RCB and will always be – AB de Villiers
AB de Villiers, who retired from all forms of cricket in 2021, said it is unlikely to return to the IPL with full -time commitment. However, he said that he would be open to join the Royal Challengers Bangalore in a coaching or mentoring capacity.
“I can join the IPL again in a different role in the future, but committed to a complete session in a professional capacity is really difficult, and I believe that those days are done. It said, you never say.”
“My heart is with RCB and will always be. Therefore, if the franchise feels that there is a role for me (as a coach or mentor), when my time is correct and ready, it would definitely be RCB,” de Villiers told IANS.
RCB waited for 18 years and gave the title of Madeen IPL
Royal Challengers Bangalore broke their 18 -year -old Zinc in 2025 by winning their first IPL title. The franchise was one of the most talkeding teams, but the IPL failed to secure the title by 2024.
He reached the finals in 2009, 2011 and 2016, but failed to lift the trophy. He has been one of the most consistent teams since 2020.
Rajat Patidar was appointed captain before the campaign. Bengaluru dominated the entire league stage, finished second with nine wins and 19 points from 14 matches. He defeated Punjab Kings (PBK) in the first qualifier with an eight -wicket win to secure a place in the final.
RCB once again met PBK in the title clash and held its nerve in a thrilling competition. He sealed the six -run win, so that the champion could be crowned. Patidar named her in history as the first captain to guide the franchise for IPL Glory, waiting for her fans to about two decades.
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