AB de Villiers Unveils Virat Kohli’s Message Regarding Iconic Royal Challengers Bangalore Chant: “Encountered Some Issues…” | Cricket News

**Iconic Chant Sparks Conversation: AB de Villiers and Virat Kohli Discuss RCB’s Slogan**

In a surprising revelation, cricket legend AB de Villiers shared that his erstwhile Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) teammate, Virat Kohli, advised him against using the well-known chant “Ee sala cup namde.” This Kannada phrase, meaning “This year, the cup will be ours,” has become a rallying cry for RCB fans. Despite being part of the team from 2011 to 2021, de Villiers received a friendly message from Kohli, urging him to refrain from uttering the phrase. Nonetheless, de Villiers assured fans that he would join in the celebrations once RCB secures the elusive IPL title—a triumph that has escaped them across 17 seasons.

Reflecting on a recent conversation, de Villiers mentioned, “I mentioned those words just the other day, only to receive a direct message from Virat saying, ‘Please, stop saying that.’ Indeed, I found myself in a slight predicament. Truthfully, it is rather exhausting to continually predict the trophy’s arrival each season. The IPL is an extraordinarily challenging tournament to conquer, featuring ten world-class teams that could potentially vie for a World Cup, let alone the IPL. Success hinges on myriad factors—travel, distinct team strategies, injuries, and other ever-evolving dynamics throughout the season. Ultimately, it is the team that maintains its momentum toward the season’s climax that often prevails. Those who leverage their home advantage frequently rise to the top. My hope is that this 18th season, wearing number 18 on my back, we’ll have the honor of lifting the trophy alongside Virat,” de Villiers stated during the Star Sports Press Room show.

Furthermore, the South African batting maestro advised Kohli to concentrate on strategic gameplay while utilizing RCB’s formidable lineup that includes the likes of Phil Salt. Despite past criticisms of Kohli’s strike rate, de Villiers encourages Kohli to embrace his freedom, especially with the acquisition of Salt and fellow power hitters Liam Livingstone, Tim David, and Romario Shepherd. “Virat seems to be in great spirits with his cricket. I suspect he won’t need to stress over increasing his strike rate alongside Phil Salt,” de Villiers commented on the JioStar Press Room show.

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