AB De Villiers has always keenly followed the IPL since his retirement from the league. He was among the first overseas cricketers to make a lasting impression in the tournament.
He was a very important player to RCB's success during his playing days and since his retirement has always been very vocal about RCB's success. His former franchise has once again reached the playoffs and is showing good signs of winning their first IPL title.
Meanwhile, like every IPL season, many young players have made an immediate impact in the season. RR's Vaibhav Suryavanshi, CSK's Urvil Patel and Ayush Mhatre, PBKS' Priyansh Arya.
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AB De Villiers Picks His Best 3 Of IPL 2025
However, the former South African skipper has taken three diferent names this season who has impressed him the most. The first name he mentioned was that of Sai Sudharsan. The GT opener is the top-scorer in the season so far with 679 runs from 14 games. He also scored his maiden IPL ton and his IPL exploits has helped him break into the India A side for the England tour.
“This season many players have surprised me with their game. Actually, I always liked Sai Sudharsan a lot. His batting in the top order impressed me a lot. I had talked about him a few seasons ago, where he had performed well and I had told all the fans to keep an eye on him. So it is good to see that he is now doing justice to his talent,” said ABD said about the southpaw.
The next name he mentioned was Dewald Brevis, his countryman who is often called "Baby AB". He has moulded his game very much on how De Villiers played through the large part of his career. Since joining CSK, he has made an immediate impact for the franchise as well, scoring 225 runs in just six games at a strike rate of 180, including two fifties.
“I am very happy for Dewald Brevis and CSK. He did not have a full season, but he had to confirm his place on the CSK side or at least tell all the IPL franchises that I have come here to stay, if the auction happens again, you see me, if CSK does not retain me, then I am here and I know what I can do and he told everyone what he can do. I like him and I am very happy with his performance" De Villiers said on Brevis.
The third and final name he mentioned was that of Josh Hazlewood. The Aussie pacer has rejoined RCB for the playoffs and has played a big part in them reaching this stage. Despite missing a few games, he is fourth in the list of most wicket-takers in the season with 18 scalps from 13 games.
“After this, my favorite bowler of the season is Josh Hazlewood. When he plays, it seems that everyone has suddenly come into form, so he has given RCB a big chance. RCB’s bowlers now look in form. Hazlewood looks quite comfortable with Bhuvi, Kunal Pandya, all of them,” ABD said on Hazlewood as he concluded.
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RCB Face LSG With Top Two In Sight
RCB are yet to confirm a spot in the top two and will be playing their final league game against LSG on Tuesday, May 27. Needless to say, they need to win the game to finish in the top two.
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