The Indian Premier League since its inception in 2008 has been one of the biggest tournaments in the world. The Indian and international players show their best talents on the ground. Royal Challengers Bangalore is one of the most loved franchise despite not winning a single IPL title. Former India captain Virat Kohli has helped them put on the map and achieve popularity. In 2021, RCB was the most followed team on social media in the Asian continent. Two other players are as loved as Kohli and are in fact revered at Bangalore, one is Chris Gayle and the other is AB De Villiers.
Kohli inducts ABD and Gayle into the RCB hall of fame –
Royal Challengers Bangalore was one of the two teams to take the field when IPL began on 18th April 2008. The team from Bangalore went into record books for the wrong reasons, as Brendon McCullum smashes his way to 158 to send the RCB bowlers into hiding. Since that year, RCB have not only picked up their game but also become of the top teams in the tournament. Despite their inability to win the title so far, they have given cricket fans lots of moments to cherish. Two of the stalwarts in Chris Gayle and AB De Villiers are the most loved and celebrated cricketers in India and in Bangalore. The RCB players all came together to induct the duo in the RCB hall of fame and were inducted by former skipper Virat Kohli.
AB De Villiers – the legend keeps growing
After playing the first 3 years of his IPL career for Delhi Daredevils (Now Delhi Capitals), ABD moved down south to Bangalore. This is where he started to flourish and his entire 360 degree game was seen. None of the bowlers were spared as the South African played some of the most outrageous shots to enthrall the crowd. After being inducted into the hall of fame, an emotional ABD said “To the boys sitting there, what an amazing privilege. Quite emotional, to be honest. I've been a little out of cricket, as you know. Just watching you guys on TV really gets me excited about the things that's still coming in the season, I believe it is going to be a special one. Virat, thanks for the kind words and everyone from the franchise who set this up, this is a really special touch. We had some amazing time together as a team. Sun has moved on for Chris and I, but we are very much part of the family”
Introducing the #RCB Hall of Fame: Match winners, Legends, Superstars, Heroes - you can go on and on about @ABdeVilliers17 and @henrygayle, two individuals who are responsible for taking IPL to where it is today. #PlayBold #WeAreChallengers #IPL2022 #ನಮ್ಮRCB #RCBHallOfFame pic.twitter.com/r7VUkxqEzP
— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) May 17, 2022
Chris Gayle the world boss –
The story of Chris Gayle is very different to that of ABD. The former West Indian wasn’t part of IPL in 2008 despite being picked by KKR. He played the 2009 and 2010 seasons for the SRK owned side. KKR were quick to release him before the 2011 mega auctions, and the West Indian wasn’t picked during the draft. RCB got Gayle in as a replacement player mid-season and he scored a century on his RCB debut and there was no looking back. Gayle then went into history books when he scored 175 not out against Pune Warriors India and called himself the world boss. After leaving RCB, Gayle went to Punjab and played a few games there. The left hander did not play the IPL in 2022 but has promised to return next year. Speaking during the ceremony, Gayle said “I want to thank the fraternity, the RCB franchise for everything. It has been really special to me as well. To be inducted into something fantastic. I will always keep RCB close to my heart. I have shared some memories with some special players, some special coaches as well. Virat, thank you gor the kind words as well, it has been fantastic sharing the dressing room with you guys. I want to wish you guys all the best for the rest of the tournament and I am sure you guys can do it. Hopefully, this year will be RCB's.”
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