‘Tough pill to swallow’: AB de Villiers reacts to RCB’s elimination from IPL 2023

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) have been eliminated from the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 as they suffered a defeat at the hands of Gujarat Titans (GT) in their last league stage match at the Chinnaswamy Stadium on Sunday (May 21). Notably, the loss resulted in RCB finishing their campaign on the fifth position with 14 points.

Gujarat ending the Bangalore-based side’s playoff hopes left RCB fans heartbroken, and they were shattered by the elimination of their favourite team. Among all, former RCB star AB de Villiers also expressed his dejection and termed the loss ‘a hard pill to swallow’. However, De Villiers lauded Shubman Gill and GT for their brilliant performance in the encounter.

“Tough pill to swallow. Well tried RCB. Shubman Gill and the Titans simply too good today,” posted De Villiers on his official Twitter handle.

Tough pill to swallow. Well tried RCB. Shubman Gill and the Titans simply too good today

— AB de Villiers (@ABdeVilliers17) May 21, 2023

Notably, the Proteas cricketer was an integral part of the Bangalore-based franchise for almost a decade and amassed 4522 runs at an impressive average of 41.10. He was recently also inducted into the RCB Hall of Fame alongside Chris Gayle for his contribution to the side.

Speaking of the match between RCB and GT, the home team was asked to bat first and they posted a competitive total of 197/5 in their allotted 20 overs. Virat Kohli was the main contributor to his side’s total as he slammed 101 runs off just 61 deliveries. But, Gill’s ton in the second innings for the Ahmedabad-based franchise outshined Virat’s knock, and GT eventually won the game by six wickets. Gill smashed a ton (104 not out) off just 52 deliveries and was adjudged ‘Player of the Match’ for his exploit.

While RCB were knocked out with the defeat against GT, Mumbai Indians (MI) benefitted from the loss and sailed to the playoffs, finishing on the fourth spot with 16 points. It is noteworthy that if RCB had won the match against Gujarat, they would’ve easily qualified for the knockouts, and MI would have been eliminated.

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May 22, 2023 at 12:16PM