Unplugged ft. AB de Villiers | WCL 2025 Final | South Africa Champion | Nepal Cricket | RCB |

Can you come back from retirement and. play IPL again for one year? [Music]. >> So, who was the toughest baller you ever. faced? >> Bumra is one of the greatest bowlers. I've ever played against. He never. troubled me too much. >> You should face the new Bumra. >> I faced him at his peak. Don't you. worry. Don't you worry. >> Uh, is the IPL logo inspired by one of. your shorts? >> A little like a back foot cover drive. kind of thing over the top. Fantastic. finish. Uh it looks like can be modest.

and say yes. Some of my friends from India they asked. me that what is your planet name. >> Have you ever felt bad for any baller. and thought okay let's go easy on this. guy? I'm not going to mention names but. I have. >> Do you regret not winning an IPL trophy. with RCB? >> Of course. Uh what was Delhi's bigger. mistake? Not signing Virat Kohli because. they had a chance or letting you go. >> both. Uh during 2024 T20 World Cup South. Africa lost a close smell sky catching.

it on the boundary touching the road but. it's okay. >> that choker tag does it ever bother you. how's your bond and friendship with. Virat Kohli and why is it so popular on. social media who could be next Mr. 360. >> maybe vibe of Suravanchi someone like. that some. >> what you were doing at 14. >> no I I don't I don't even have a beard. yet. >> in 2015 world cup uh we saw you crying. on the field after losing in final over. does that moment still upset you. >> cried myself to sleep that night so I'll. never forget that. >> Nepal cricket team was so close to beat.

South Africa in T20 world cup. >> never I was just kidding they're a. wonderful team they've come a very long. way in cricket. >> you said to play Nepal cricket your. favorite match with RC. >> favorite was probably in Mumbai Wankeri. stadium the 200 partnership with Virat. against Mumbai Indians team. >> Which format did you enjoy the most? T20. taste or odi? >> Definitely taste match cricket. >> Surazzi. surar or a devil? Yes. Suruma. >> straight drive. >> for Matthew Hayden. >> I expected great tender but I love. >> I'll get to him. No, no. We'll add a.

flick through the middle on there. >> Yeah. Flick. >> Such a tender. >> So could you return to RCB as a coach at. least? >> I would love to say I'm going to be. coach one day. cricket. of all time. Meet Evius, the cricket. magician. Hi Ev. How are you? >> I'm very good. It's great to be here.

Thank you. >> You're loved by all fans all over the. world. But how does it feel to be seen. as a local hero in India? >> It is quite surreal to be honest. I. don't know how it all happened. Um, but. it's obviously a huge privilege, but it. also comes with responsibility. The way. I carry myself on and off the field, I. know there always eyes on me. Um, so I. have to put my best foot forward as as. much as I as often as I can at least. Um, it's a huge it's a huge honor. obviously. Um, India is my second home. Um, ever since I started touring there.

since 2001, which was my first trip. there, >> I sort of fell in love with the culture, the country, the people and um, their. absolute love for cricket. So, I can't. wait for my next trip. >> So, like uh, you have knowledge of. Hindi? >> I I know quite a few words but um, >> or you love or you'll just learn the. good words from Virat. >> He taught me a lot of good stuff. Yes. Which I which I'd rather not share here. >> I'm sure Ben Stokes you all guys love. Okay. Uh last night I was watching that. match India versus South Africa match.

and I saw a lot of RCB fans. >> of course. >> it's amazing and we are in England. >> Everyone loves RCB. >> I know it was crazy. We um we had a. ground called Northampton County Cricket. Club and. >> um as I arrived there were lots of RCB. fans. I immediately picked up the chance. of RCB RCB. So it was very cool to to. hear that again. Obviously um RGB are. the current champions of the IPL finally. for the first time. I'm very happy to.

say that and I was I was very lucky to. have been at the ground when that moment. um happened not so long ago. So it's. great to hear the RCB chance even here. in the United Kingdom. >> You scored 63 of 30 balls and then most. of the people thought that why did you. retire from international cricket so. early? >> Uh I think I was just lucky yesterday. No. >> you were smooth. I I saw that you were. turning single into doubles. You took. three runs and then what a catch of Isu. Patan. Hats off. >> I know. I had a lot of fun out there.

I've always loved playing cricket. I. love all kinds of sport. Um just to be. busy and to be active. So whenever I do. get on the the playing pitch, I will. always give it my best shot and I'll be. competitive out there. But to to do it. professionally is a whole different. demand. Uh where you got to do it right. throughout the year. you know, I have a. young family and lots of other. priorities became a bit more important. to me towards the later stages of my. career. Um, until that moment where I. decided, you know what, now those. priorities will come first, but I'm I'm.

just happy that I'm still playing, you. know, after four years of not being in. the game, finally back enjoying cricket. again. >> How does it feel playing league cricket. after international cricket? >> I I thought it was going to be a lot. lower key, more under the radar than uh. what what we're getting here right now. It's it's been televised globally. Um. the competition is stiff. Uh some of the. bowlers can still bowl at good pace. The. spinners still have the skill and some. of the batters still hit those big sixes. and uh everyone still looks uh healthy. and fit and athletic out there. So it's.

a lot more competitive than what I was. expecting which is a good thing. Um I'm. right back into it and really enjoying. it. >> Most of the fan gave me this question. that can you come back from retirement. and play IPL again for one year. >> for RCB? Uh I'll I'll be too nervous, man. Uh I I I think I'll rather just. support. I'm I'm a very good supporter. >> You're fit. You're fit. You were like. taking doubles, triples, and like what a. catch again. I'm saying. So most of the. fan asked me that please ask just one. year for RCB. >> Yeah. The IPL is just very long, you. know. It's almost a 3-month tournament.

It's a it's a really big commitment uh. for for someone at the age of 41 who's. um. >> Tony is playing at 44. >> Yeah, but you can't compare me to him. I. work a lot harder. I had a lot of more. hard work I think throughout the years. No, I'm just kidding. >> Iran is winning trophies at 46. I mean. >> that's crazy. I I take my hat to them. That's that's absolutely amazing. And um. I mean you got to look up to that and. and just sort of say well done guys. Uh. but we're all different and I think that.

is the beautiful part of the sports is. some guys feel they've had enough after. the age of 30. Um some only at 40. It. depends. Some of us get injured. So, I'm. just first of all thankful that I could. actually have a very lengthy career from. the age of 20 right through to whenever. I retired. I don't even know how long it. was. It felt felt quite long, but I gave. it my best shot and I'm happy. >> Who could be next? Mr. 360° if you have. to take two names. >> From South Africa, I would say Devil. Bre. Yeah. Yeah. He's got the number 17 on.

the back. He plays a similar kind of. brand of cricket. Very attacking. >> He's still got a lot to learn. >> He's playing for CSK, not for RCB. >> Yeah, that's that is a shame. But that. can still change. Never say never. >> And I think from India, um probably. Sky is the closest, but he's he's not so. young. >> Uh we'll see. We'll see. But I think. Devil Bre is probably the closest. >> I'm from India. If you have to choose. one name, >> I think Surakumarov, he's a bit older. If I have to look at the younger. generation, um maybe viburanchi, someone.

like that. He's only 14 years old. Still. got a lot to learn. >> Is it crazy that ending 100? It's. amazing. I I I didn't think it could. ever was possible honestly. >> Getting six to Rashad Khan Mohamad Sajj. Prasad Krishna just at age of 14. >> Crazy you know the youngsters of today. they're different breed they don't look. scared they fearless when I started. playing I was so. >> what you were doing at 14. >> No I I don't I don't even have a beard. yet. >> Uh even he's not having. >> I just went to high school. I mean, my.

parents sent me away to this the big. city to be a at the boarding school and. I mean I I don't know. I can't remember. what I was doing but definitely not. trying to play cricket for a living. >> Have you ever felt bad for any baller. and thought, "Okay, let's go easy on. this guy. I've hit enough.". >> I'm not going to mention names, but I. have. >> I have once or twice gone like. >> it's in IPL or international cricket. >> This is not nice anymore. At the IPL. once or twice. Um also international. cricket. I think the the the thing is. the minute you win the battle and you.

see. >> you can at least mention the team not. the bowler but you can mention the team. let people guess out. >> Lions. >> okay. >> and then one one or two international. teams but the thing is where I felt. sorry for a bowler was when I see he was. collapsing under the pressure and. starting to get the claw um not really. releasing the ball anymore being scared. of bowling and I've I've never enjoyed. that. I've always wanted the battle to. be on, you know. Um I felt that before. as well when I was younger facing. Muhammad AF, Glen McGra,

Shane War getting me out a lot of times. I also felt um. >> Okay, let me reverse the question. >> Was there a baller who troubled you so. much that you hope I wish this baller. doesn't come to ball me? >> I think Muhammad A when I was younger, the Pakistani, the magician, >> right? Yeah, he was he was and I mean to. be to be fair to myself, I wasn't really. comfortable with my own technique at. that time. I had some flaws. I was. taking the bat behind my back. So I mean. I would have loved to face him now or. when I was a bit older, very sound.

technically knowing what I'm doing out. there. Um but for him uh to face him at. that time was just it was almost unfair. He just had too much skill. He was. playing with me. It felt like you know. really really good bowler. >> He will take this as a compliment. >> He must he must. >> Okay. So, who was the toughest bowler. you ever faced? As if or anyone else? >> I think Simba, he was probably the most. skillful at that at a high pace. 140s, always moving the ball around with a lot. of bounce. He was a tall guy. When I was. younger as well, Shane War was quite. intimidating. Skill-wise, I felt like I.

had him under control, but he was just. in my face, you know, he was reading the. game so well. Um, exposing weaknesses. Um, and quite a few others. I mean, later on my career, I struggled a bit. against Stuart Broad. He was a fantastic. bowler. never feared him, but he always. found a way to just to make the ball. Obviously, Bumra. >> Bumra is one of the greatest bowlers. I've ever played against. He never. troubled me too much, luckily. Touch. wood. >> You should face the new Bumra. >> I got a hold of him a bit. >> You should face the new Bumra. >> No, no, he's he's still the same. No,

no, no. I faced him at his peak. Don't. you worry. He was amazing. Um, and we. always had great battles against each. other. I got a hold of him a few times. He got me out a few times. I have a lot. of respect for him. >> We have enjoyed that. Yeah, for sure. >> Okay. In 2015 World Cup, uh we saw you. crying on the feed after losing in final. over. >> Does that moment still upset you? >> Um was a great team, great South African. team. >> We we lacked one or two positions. I. feel we lacked an allrounder. Um Jalis. pulled retired just prior to that World.

Cup and I think we really missed him, but we still had a really good team who. was in form who believed we could go all. the way and I felt we had the number of. the Australians that year. We beat them. a few times leading up to the tournament. and I wish we could have it over and. just get to that final and get one bite. at that cherry. Uh but New Zealand. played a really good game of cricket. that night at home. Eden Park for them. it was loud, it was difficult for us, intimidating and unfortunately I think. where we lost it was probably a couple. of catches in the field that we dropped.

Um particularly Grant Elliot who went on. to win the game. Uh things happen. Uh. gave it my best shot and I'll always be. emotional about that. Obviously, we were. so close. I could almost taste it. And. that once again is the beauty of sport. It It's such a leveler. Such great highs. and lows, roller coaster rides. And. unfortunately, it didn't work out for us. in that year. >> If I ask you that, which loss hurt South. African fans the most? The 1999 South. Africa versus Australia, 2015, Australia, uh, South Africa versus New. Zealand, or 2024 India versus South.

Africa? >> I think 1999 was the most heartbreaking. for me. That was that was bad, man. closer and don if I'm not wrong. >> cuz we had that on the control. I mean. we needed one of three balls. I think. there was no need to even run. Uh but it. just shows you the magnitude of that. situation and the moment uh realizing. that we are so close to the final and. possibly even lifting the trophy and. just the moment of madness man obviously. was very loud. Donald didn't hear the. the call. He obviously thought it.

straight to the field. We don't have to. run them many balls to go still or three. whatever two. And Clus felt like he had. had to get through. I was in tears that. night much more than I was in 2015. I. was 15 years old then. I cried myself to. sleep that night. So I'll never forget. that. >> Uh during 2024 T20 World Cup South. Africa lost a close match. I mean we all. thought as an Indian that we lost. Clson. was playing superbly. There was Miller. How you feel that day? >> Yeah, I think I think the odds were. still stacked against us. Even though.

Clson played exceptionally well, I. always knew the ball got a bit softer. If we lose one more wicket, it's going. to open up widely, you know, and which. which ended up happening. Clson turned. it around and gave us a chance, but I. think India batting first, they're. setting up a good total. I always knew. it was going to be a really tough chase. in the final. Um, so I think the guys. actually did well to come close, but. still. >> what was the most crucial moment that. sky catch? >> No, I think class getting out. >> Classing. >> Yeah, there was a moment there where he. could have shifted back to the second or.

third game. or pan delaying the match. smartly. >> H I mean there's so many moments that. always happens. It's just a lot more. telling. >> How are you surprised? How are you. surprised? You have to pick one reason. like why you guys lost. >> No, Clson getting out definitely. If he. batted for three more overs, we would. have won in my opinion. Even if he just. took once and just extended the game a. bit. So him getting out really sort of. took the momentum out of the sales and. and then obviously the little moments. happened. Um but it is what it is. I. think Pandy handled that final over.

exceptionally well. You got to give it. to him. >> And um it was so close. Millis hit the. sky catching it on the boundary touching. the row. But it's okay. It's India. >> I'm just joking. No, it was a fair. catch. It was heartbreaking. But luckily. we went on to win the WTC, right? So got. the monkey off the back and hopefully. the guys will go and win many trophies. in the future. >> That choker tag, does it ever bother. you? Because now finally it is removed. You guys won WTC final. Timba, what a.

man winning all the test matches. >> Yeah, it's never bothered me. It never. will. It's always been to me. opportunity. Um, and I've always played. my cricket that way as well. When I'm. not backed, when I feel the chips are. down, the odds are against me, that's. when I play my best cricket. And, um, I. think that's what I've always told the. guys in the change room when I was. captain. I said, "This is an amazing. opportunity to to show the whole world. what we are about as a team." And. finally, well, you know, some of those. youngsters that went on to to win the. WTC final was in the change room while I.

was playing. So maybe they took that. message and decided, you know what, now. it's time. I was it was it was great to. be that lord to watch that happen. >> Do you regret not winning an IPL trophy. with RCB? >> Of course, I I wanted to be there. Um, but same story. I think that's maybe my. sort of um that sort of takes the bitter. taste out of my mouth now that the guys. did it. Virat pulling me in and saying. you part of this just as much as I am. And I'm like I I was completely taken. back when he said that to me. Um but.

that sort of heals the wound a bit, you. know, uh knowing that I was part of uh. that legacy that I was there with a lot. of the guys that played in that final. sharing the change room with them and. maybe just maybe I had a bit of an. impact for like a 1enter with one of. them. I don't know. But that's what. that's VR's take at least. And that sort. of makes me feel a bit better. But. obviously forever I'll regret it. The. 2016 final hurt quite a lot because we. were so close and I I felt we were the. better team in that final. We just. should have gone through. Uh but once.

again that sport for you up and down. unpredictable and that's why fans love. the game so much. >> Ali used to play for Delhi. So did Delhi. made a mistake by letting you go? >> I would like to think so. I didn't I I. mean I I don't have amazing memories of. Delhi. I I think the individuals I met. there was probably the highlight for me. the Glen McGrass, Dan Vtori, Sewak, Gambia, we had we had a great team and I. had a lot of fun with the players and. getting to know them a bit better and.

understanding they're also just human. beings. That was probably my highlight. But the team itself, the whole dynamic. didn't really fit my. >> Okay, let me let me twist the appetite. Let me twist the question. Uh what was. Delhi's bigger mistake? Not signing. Virat Kohli because they had a chance or. letting you go? >> Both. >> Imagine both and myself there. They. haven't won. >> Now, I was very happy to to move to RCB. What a great city. What a great fan. base. >> So, could you return to RCB as a coach. at least? >> I think I'll have an involvement in the.

future. I can't say what it's going to. be. Um, I would love to say I'm going to. be coach one day, but it would be stupid. of me to say that because I wouldn't. know. I don't know what my appetite is. yet. I don't know what their appetite is. yet and what kind of role they want me. to fill. So, it's a two-way street. It's. a relationship and I would like to keep. the relationship as healthy as possible. for the rest of my life. So whatever the. role is going to be, there will be good. communication leading up to that and. hopefully I'll have an impact in. whatever capacity possible. >> How's your bond and friendship with. Virat Kohli and why is it so popular on.

social media? I mean everywhere. >> I think Virat and I just understand each. other. We play the game in a similar. kind of way. We both incredibly. competitive human beings. We love. winning. We love giving our best shot. out there. Um we understand each other. in the middle. We've always had this. kind of understanding. We never had to. speak to each other or at at the crease, never have to call. There was always. just a knowing of how the game should be. played and and how it's played by the. two of us. So, it was an absolute. privilege to have shared the dressing. room with him for many many years. But.

even on top of that, a cherry on the. cake is getting to know him as a person. off the field and understanding his um. his personality and his life a bit. better. >> Your favorite match with RCB? I I had. one 2016 qualifier one, RCB 29 for five, I mean uh Gale for nine, Virard zero, KL. zero, Watson and one, Sachin zero and. then you won the match that match. >> that's one of my favorite choices of my. life. Uh we were completely down and. out. It was probably. >> 29 for five.

>> Yeah, that's done and dusted. I mean, if. you putting a bet on that, you'll say. there's 1% chance of for RCB to win and. but those are the kind of situations. I've always loved. We spoke about that. earlier where the odds are against you. and there's a bit of controversy but I. see opportunity in those moments. I. always have and I always will. So great. to come to have come through that but I. think my favorite was probably in Mumbai. Wankeri Stadium the 200 partnership with. Virat in the middle of the day was very. hot. It was tough against uh a.

starstudded Mumbai Indians team and. really taking them apart um at their own. at their home ground was. >> my favorite is like 31 ball 100 against. West Indies. >> Yes, that was that was a. >> that was a good memory. My parents were. there that day and I always say that in. interviews cuz that's what I remember. >> You were different in pink. >> I had a lot of fun out there that day. Everything just worked out for me and um. I I enjoyed it. >> Okay. Uh is the IPL logo inspired by one. of your shots? because uh most of the. time fans compare that logo. >> It looks like it a little like a back.

foot cover drive kind of thing over the. top. Fantastic finish. Uh it looks. similar. I don't think it. >> you can be modest and say yes. >> No, I'm a little bit off with that one, but I'll I'll I'm still working on it. I'll try and perfect it. >> Okay. Uh what advice you will give to a. young player who want to become next Mr. 360°? >> Do the basics well. U hard work. There's. no replacement for hard work. Practice. makes perfect. And there's only one way. to be your authentic self and it's to. discover your own strengths and.

weaknesses and no one can teach you. that. So do not expect anyone to do you. favors. Go out there and go do the hard. work yourself and that's where you find. your authentic self. Nepal cricket team. was so close to beat South Africa in T20. World Cup. >> Never. >> And they just lost my mind. >> So they asked like how how they can. become a stronger team. Lot of you have. a lot of fans in Nepal. So they asked me. to especially mention this. >> No, I I was just kidding. They're a. wonderful team. They've come a very long. way. Very dangerous cricket team. I. think for them the name of the game is. to to become more consistent. Um and the.

only way to do that is to play more. cricket. But that there's also someone. else responsible for giving them more. opportunities. So a big cry out to the. organizers of cricket around the world. to give players and and teams like Nepal. more opportunity to play games of. cricket. >> You said to play in Nepal cricket. league. I mean there were rumors that. I was invited before. It didn't work out. in my schedule. I've been a little bit. busy. Um, and I I mean I'm committing to. really short tournaments these days. So.

WCL's two weeks long in the UK. I've got. my family here. It really fits the glove. really well. Um, or the hand. The glove. fits the hand well. Uh, so hopefully. maybe in the future. Never say never. >> Which format did you enjoy the most? T20. test or ODI? >> Definitely test match cricket. I know. most players say that, but it's really. the truth. It is the ultimate form of. the game, the ultimate test. It's really. where you feel exposed as an individual. Um there's nowhere to hide. And that's. what I love about that format. It feels. so uncomfortable cuz there's the the.

hardest bowl in the world with as many. overs as he wants with the field that he. wants. And um it's just him and you and. it's that battle. And that's what I love. about that game. It's a bit more. individual cuz you really feel exposed. at times out there in the middle. And. it's so long. It's a marathon. It's not. a sprint. Who gave you this nickname? Alien Devils. >> Alien Devils. Uh I think it was uh some. of my fans from India. I'm not sure who. Um I'd like to find out, but it's just.

>> they ask me that. What is your planet. name? >> I have no idea. >> because they don't consider you as a. human being. >> Oh, they can call me alien. It makes. sense. I'll sometimes do silly stuff on. the field. And I've even made it my 360. show theme as well. There's some little. dudes, UFO dudes on my on the theme. there. So, I've taken it um and sort of. made it part of my DNA. >> Okay. Now, time for some rapid fire. Uh. name a player for each shot. I will. mention shot. You have to give me a. name. >> Sure. >> Pull shot. >> Ricky Ponting. >> Okay. Cover drive.

>> Virat Kohli. >> Expected. Uh straight drive. >> Uh. tough one. Matthew Hayden. Actually, when he got it right, it was brutal. >> Okay. M. >> I expected great tendulkar but I love. >> I'll get to him. >> Uh scoop shot. >> Surakumar. >> Okay. Cut shot. >> Uh Raul Dit. Sewak. Sorry. Verenda Sewak. >> Okay. River sweep.

>> Can I put myself in there? >> Yeah. Switch it. >> Switch it. I didn't I haven't seen a lot. of players played. I know Kevin KP. played it. So. >> yeah. Okay. Uh now choose one. >> No. No, no. We'll add a flick through. mid on there. >> Yeah, flick. >> Sachin Tindulka. He asked for it. >> I will go for guilt. I just loved his. flick. >> Oh, yeah. It wasn't bad. >> Yeah. Okay, choose one. Uh, Virat. Babarazzi. >> Surumaradu or A Devil. >> Close call. 50/50.

Surakumar. I've never. >> modest. You're being modest. Uh, the. great Tendulkar or great Virat Kohli. >> Is there any comparison? You can't. compare different generations. Impossible to compare. Both were. absolutely outstanding in their. generation during the era. Uh I have a. lot of respect for Sachin down to earth. and I sort of looked up to him. Virat's. more my friend. So very difficult. I. think Virat was an all format greater. player. Sachin maybe in the longer. format better. >> Shahin or Bumra?

>> Bumra. >> Stain Bumra. >> Different formats. I think staying in test cricket, Boomers. and T20s. >> Dream batting partner, Kohli or Callus? >> Can I I've got to go different formats. Test cricket callus. He calms me down. but all other formats. Virat. >> I've learned a Hindi word from RCB. teammate. >> Jello I don't know. I have I've learned. a few um. but rather not. Oh, let's get with this.

little one. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Uh Diwali or holi? >> Diwali. >> Diwali. >> Holi. Same. H celebrations. For me it's. just celebrations. There's no particular. fundamental meaning for it to me. But I. love the celebrations. The colors of. Holly. Obviously. >> the volley has special meaning. But. yeah. >> Second last question. If you could play. one more match for South Africa, which. opponent would you choose?

>> Always Australia. Love beating. Australia. your RCB 11 all time. >> 11 it's a long list that's that's very. tough um I can't remember. >> okay give Iel 11 your grade. >> greatest IPL 11. >> yeah last question. >> okay. >> you got to give me time to think of that. one it's tough but I I'll I'll quickly. sprint through one. >> uh Robert Sharma. >> Matthew Aiden. >> Virat Kohli at three Shakumar.

myself at. Uh, >> great team. >> Number six. >> Uh, Polard. >> Yeah, >> Callis. Let's go. Aik Pandya. MS. Don Seven. Uh, Boomerat. Eight. Y nine. I need another. Sema, right? >> Malinga. >> Bravo. >> Lassid. Malinga 10. >> One more. Uh,

I'll just throw a little span in the. works. Dan Vtori at 11. Just a little. bit of a left arm spinner, classical. spinner. >> Any message for RCB fans and Indian fans. of course. >> Yeah, to all my Indian fans, RCB fans. out there. Isa like upandu. I'm just. kidding. Uh, thank you very much for. supporting me. Uh, keep an eye out for. me at the WCL. I'm playing a bit of. cricket again and I'm loving it. It's. all live on fan code, so it will be. streamed live across the world. Um, and. go watch this episode. We had a.

fantastic chat. >> Thank you so much everybody. Thank you. My pleasure. Anytime.