The stage is set for the grand finale of IPL 2025, and while all eyes will be on the players, Royal Challengers Bengaluru fans have another reason to cheer, the presence of Chris Gayle and AB de Villiers in the stands. Two of the biggest legends in RCB’s history, Gayle and AB are set to watch their beloved franchise battle Punjab Kings for their maiden IPL title at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. For a team that has built a legacy on flair, heartbreak, and undying loyalty, having these two titans present in person feels poetic.Between them, Gayle and de Villiers have amassed 7,942 runs for RCB — often lighting up the Chinnaswamy with their fireworks. AB de Villiers, who played 157 matches for the team between 2011 and 2021, scored 4,522 runs at an average of 41.10 and a blistering strike rate of 158.33, including two centuries and 37 fifties.
Gayle, the Universe Boss himself, represented RCB from 2011 to 2017, racking up 3,420 runs in 91 matches, with five centuries and a record-breaking 175* to his name and the highest individual score in IPL history. Their legacy isn’t just in the numbers, but in the joy they brought to RCB fans season after season.Quiz: Who’s that IPL player?Now, as Virat Kohli and Rajat Patidar lead the charge in yet another attempt to end the franchise’s 18-year trophy drought, the presence of AB and Gayle adds an emotional weight to the occasion. It’s more than just a match as it’s a culmination of years of hope, heartbreak, and belief. Whether RCB finally gets to lift the trophy or not, the sight of two of their greatest ever in the stands will already be a win in the hearts of fans.
