IPL 2018: AB de Villiers predicts the winner of the season

The Royal Challengers Bangalore had yet another dismal run in the IPL this season. Their hopes crashed when they lost the must win game against the Rajasthan Royals in Jaipur. At one stage, with AB de Villiers at the crease, they were cruising towards the target. They lost their plot horribly after his departure and ended up surrendering in the game. After RCB’s exit, AB de Villiers reflected back at how the tournament went for his side.

As per the quotes in Times of India, the South African wrote that it is indeed very unfortunate to see themselves fall short after coming so close. However, he added that all is not done and dusted in the RCB camp. They still have the faith in their abilities that they can come back stronger next year and win the title for the franchise and fans.

“We can have no complaints. It is frustrating to know we would have qualified if we had defeated Rajasthan Royals on Saturday, and at one stage we seemed to be on course for a successful chase, but their spinners halted our march and, in a few hectic overs, our dreams evaporated like the morning mist,” quoted AB de Villiers.

“So it’s all doom and gloom in Bengaluru? No, not at all. We are extremely disappointed to have won only six of our 14 matches, but it is often said that sports teams must lose together before they can win together, and I do believe that, amid our underperformance in 2018, we have laid a solid foundation for 2019,” the veteran cricketer noted.

On the team atmosphere

Commenting further on the performances and the team’s atmosphere, AB de Villiers remarked that he feels blessed to be a part of the IPL ever since the first edition of the tournament. He went on to quote that the 2018 edition was the best till date for the fact that it brought a lot of learning curves for the team. Also, the team stuck together in times of crisis and that made it all the way more special.

“I have been fortunate to participate in every IPL since the tournament started in 2008 and, in many respects, for me, the 2018 event has been the most enjoyable. The spirit within the RCB squad has been outstanding. In the good moments, and also the difficult moments, players, coaches and staff have stuck together and backed each other, and we have developed a collective will that augurs well for next season,” de Villiers remarked.

Predicting the ultimate winner

Picking up a final winner for the IPL 2018 season, AB de Villiers believes that the finals will be played between the Chennai Super Kings and the Sunrisers Hyderabad. And in the finals, the South African reckons that MS Dhoni will spin the magic in the favor of his side yet again. For now, CSK and SRH will face off in the Qualifier 1 of the season.

“The IPL remains brilliantly unpredictable. However, if forced to make a prediction, I would not be surprised to see SRH, brilliantly led by Kane Williamson, play CSK in the final, and then for yet one more burst of MS Dhoni magic to propel the team in yellow to the title,” predicts AB de Villiers.

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