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Bengaluru, April 6: South Africa great AB de Villiers believes his former team Royal Challengers Bangalore can win their first-ever Indian Premier League (IPL) title in 2023, but feels another team are favourites as things stand.
RCB led by Faf Du Plessis registered a thumping 8-wicket win when chasing down 172 with 22 balls to spare against record champions Mumbai Indians to open their IPL 2023 campaign at home - M Chinnaswamy Stadium.
Du Plessis and Virat Kohli smashed fifties to guide RCB to a winning start on Sunday (April 2) in Bengaluru. And the RCB legend, who played for the franchise for 11 seasons, backed the Du Plessis-led side to clinch a maiden IPL trophy this year.
"The Gujarat Titans are a really strong team, and probably the favourites in my opinion to win the tournament. But RCB have had a fantastic start, there's absolutely no doubt in my mind that they can win the tournament," De Villiers was quoted as saying in a virtual media interaction.
While De Villiers feels RCB can win it, the former player feels defending champions Gujarat Titans, who have started the new season with 2 wins of 2, are still the favourites to win the title.
De Villiers, who played for the red, black and gold jersey from 2011 to 2021, acknowledged the fact that it's too early, but he is hopeful RCB carry on with the form and backs the talented squad to go all the way.
"It's a long road ahead. There is a lot of things that need to fall in place, but there's no doubt in my mind (that) we (RCB) can win the tournament, and I'm hoping for the best. I don't want to get ahead of myself," De Villiers added.
"If we can just get through to the knockouts... it's our first goal, then anything can happen in those knockouts. We have the talent in the team, there's no doubt about it."
De Villiers backs 'relaxed' Kohli to produce more fireworks
Kohli scored an unbeaten 82 off 49 balls in a knock that included 6 fours and 5 sixes during RCB's homecoming against Mumbai Indians at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
The former India captain has been back to his best since he broke his century drought in 2022 during the Asia Cup. He has been scoring freely ever since then, smashing hundreds in all three formats on international stage.
And the star India batter has carried that rich form into IPL as well and De Villiers feels the best of Kohli is yet to come as he believes the former RCB captain will produce more fireworks this season.
"When he is having fun that natural talent takes over and he scores runs at ease which he did in that first innings. I think the best is yet to come and we are going to see some fireworks," De Villiers said.
RCB will hope to continue the winning streak when they face Kolkata Knight Riders at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Thursday (April 6) in match 9 of the IPL 2023.
