Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers shared an emotional hug ahead of the IPL 2025 final between the Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Punjab Kings at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, on Tuesday. The two were RCB’s mainstay for 11 years before the latter announced his retirement in 2021. Their reunion before the big game left several fans emotional.
ABD, popularly known as Mr 360, also sent a message to Kohli on the eve of the IPL 2025 final. The South African told Star Sports: “My message to Virat is to go out and enjoy and have fun out there. Put a smile on your face. I will be there watching you. Bring that (IPL) trophy home. Enjoy every minute of it.”
IPL 2025: RCB vs PBKS final live score
However, it was Kohli and AB de Villiers’ on-field moment that caught fans’ attention.
“Virat Kohli Huging Ab de villiers It’s an emotional moment Hope today rcb won 🏆 And tribute them and their fans,” one person wrote on X, platform formerly known as Twitter.
“The Hug Moments of Virat Kohli & Ab De Villiers. ❤️” another fan tweeted.
De Villiers played for RCB from 2011 to 2021. In 157 matches for the franchise, he scored 4522 runs at an average of 41.20 and a strike rate of over 155. His highest IPL score (133*) came against the Mumbai Indians in 2015. De Villiers and Kohli formed the IPL’s most prolific duo, posting five 100+ partnerships and two 200+ partnerships, including a record 229-run stand for the 2nd wicket against Gujarat Lions in 2016.
Meanwhile, Kohli and the RCB play the IPL final on Tuesday with an aim to win their maiden trophy. Punjab Kings skipper Shreyas Iyer won the toss and elected to field.
RCB vs PBKS playing 11
Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Phil Salt, Virat Kohli, Mayank Agarwal, Rajat Patidar (capt), Liam Livingstone, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yash Dayal, Josh Hazlewood.
Punjab Kings: Priyansh Arya, Shreyas Iyer (capt), Josh Inglis (wk), Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, Marcus Stoinis, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Azmatullah Omarzai, Kyle Jamieson, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal.
