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Former Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) batter and one of the most renowned names in world cricket, AB de Villiers, slammed IPL commentators during a recent interaction with fans on his YouTube channel.
The usually composed de Villiers didn’t hold back, expressing visible frustration over repeated jabs at RCB’s bowling unit during live broadcasts, calling the criticism excessively negative, especially when the team has shown clear improvement and commitment throughout the season.
The reaction came after RCB’s phenomenal victory in their final league stage game of IPL 2025 against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), when they chased down a mammoth total of 228 runs. The win not only secured a spot in Qualifier 1 but also provided an additional strategic advantage heading into the playoffs.
AB de Villiers criticizes commentators for their negative bias against RCB bowlers
De Villiers expressed frustration with the repetitive negative tone of IPL commentators regarding RCB’s bowling performance. He questioned why the pitch conditions weren’t considered as a possible factor, suggesting that the surface might have simply favored batting rather than indicating poor bowling. He urged commentators to be more balanced in their analysis and not jump to conclusions that unfairly discredit players’ efforts on challenging wickets.
“I listened to the commentators last night, and honestly, it got me so angry. They were so negative when we were bowling. They kept saying, ‘RCB’s bowling is under pressure. They don’t look like they’re going to manage it. Once again, an in-form team is starting to lose momentum.’ But what about this-maybe it was just a really good batting wicket, guys? To all you very clever and sharp commentators out there, how about considering the possibility that it was an excellent surface for batting?” he said on his YouTube channel.
Also WATCH: Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma light up Ekana with flying kisses after RCB’s historic triumph vs LSG
De Villiers also mentioned that commentators tend to stick to a fixed narrative, focusing on the fact that RCB hasn’t won a title, but he feels it’s lazy to keep repeating the same criticisms over and over again.
“They went on about how RCB’s bowling unit was once again in poor form. As I watched the match, I thought sometimes commentators get fixated on a narrative. Yes, RCB have never won a title, but it’s lazy to keep saying, ‘Here we go again. The bowlers are failing, they’re useless,’ without properly analysing what’s happening on the field,” he added.
De Villiers’ scintillating stint with RCB
De Villiers has had a remarkable and electrifying career with RCB in the IPL. Across 156 matches, he has scored an impressive 4,491 runs, demonstrating exceptional batting prowess. His strike rate of about 161.5 highlights his aggressive approach, consistently putting pressure on bowlers and changing the course of games. With a solid batting average near 41.5, de Villiers has proven to be both a powerful hitter and a dependable run-scorer for his team. His dynamic and thrilling performances have made him one of the most exciting and valuable players in IPL history.
Also READ: Fans go wild as Jitesh Sharma’s fireworks guide RCB to Qualifier 1 in historic run chase against LSG
