Virat Kohli has told me not to say 'Ee Sala Cup Namde': AB de Villiers

AB de Villiers has revealed that his friend and former Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) teammate, Virat Kohli, has asked him not to say "Ee Sala Cup Namde", which translates to "This year the cup will be ours".¹ This phrase has become synonymous with RCB's ambitions to win the Indian Premier League (IPL) title.

De Villiers and Kohli have a long-standing friendship, having played together for RCB and sharing many memorable moments on and off the field.² Their bond has grown stronger over the years, with De Villiers even referring to Kohli as his "brother" [8).

The phrase "Ee Sala Cup Namde" has become a rallying cry for RCB fans, symbolizing the team's determination to win the IPL title. However, Kohli's request to De Villiers suggests that he might want to keep expectations in check and focus on the team's performance rather than making bold predictions.

It's worth noting that De Villiers has been known to hype up the crowd with his energetic speeches and phrases, including "Ee Sala Cup Namde".³ ⁴ However, Kohli's request might indicate a more cautious approach to the upcoming season.

*This news has been published on India Today on 18h March 2025.