New Delhi: Kings XI Punjab secured a rather easy 8-wicket victory over Royal Challengers Bangalore, but the defeat doesn't take away the kind of innings RCB star AB de Villiers played on the day. KXIP quandered the early advantage as South African maverick AB de Villiers unleashed himself in the death overs to help Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) post 148/4 in an Indian Premier League (IPL) match at the Holkar Stadium here on Monday.
Playing his first match of this year`s IPL, de Villiers proved his importance for RCB`s scheme of things in the tournament, with an unbeaten 89 off 46 balls, laced with three hits to the fence and nine over it.
Coming out to bat in only the second over of the innings, the Proteas right-hander used all his experience to handle the situation, curbing his natural aggression, to take the side to safety before changing the momentum of the innings in the death overs.
Along with all-rounder Stuart Binny (18 not out), de Villiers started the onslaught after the 15th over, when he dealt mostly in sixes, clearing the fence on as many as eight occasions to raise an undefeated 80-run fifth wicket stand.
Tottering at 22/3, comeback man AB de Villiers and new batsman Mandeep Singh (28) were made to sweat out, as the Punjab bowlers tightened the noose around the visitors.
After celebrating a fest of boundaries in the last 3 overs of the match, RCB reached a humble total of 148 but in the end it proved too less for Glenn Maxwell-led side.
Nevertheless, RCB may not have found the result they wanted but De Villiers did give fans a night to remember with his explosive performance.
Here's how some of the biggest names in the sport including Yuvraj Singh, David Warner, Michael Clarke, reacted to Mr. 360's performance on the day.
Boooooom seriously amazing striking @ABdeVilliers17 best in the business
— David Warner (@davidwarner31) April 10, 2017
What a freak @ABdeVilliers17 love watching him bat. Game on now! Can @RCBTweets defend 148?
— Michael Clarke (@MClarke23) April 10, 2017
Close enough#IPL #RCBvKXIP #Abd pic.twitter.com/SqNxQNBNdW
— Satyavrat choubey (@choubeysatya) April 10, 2017
AB gets down on one knee and steers a wide yorker behind point for four #LIKEABOSS! #KXIPvRCB #PlayBold
— Royal Challengers (@RCBTweets) April 10, 2017
Mr 360 is back ! Genius @ABdeVilliers17
— yuvraj singh (@YUVSTRONG12) April 10, 2017
AB de Villiers:
89 Runs
46 Balls
9 Sixes
3 FoursExcellent Batting Display #ABDevilliers #KXIPvRCB #RCBvsKXIP #RCBvKXIP pic.twitter.com/YiRlHHBAQ7
— Sir Ravindra Jadeja (@SirJadeja) April 10, 2017
ABD ABD ABD...!!! If I was a commentator I'd do a mic drop and enjoy the show ... No words can describe @ABdeVilliers17....wow!!
— Morne Morkel (@mornemorkel65) April 10, 2017
Chasing the target, Manan Vohra (34) and Amla (58) gave Punjab a flying start, sharing 62 off 35 balls for the opening wicket before Tymal Mills put the breaks by getting rid off the former in the sixth over. Glenn Maxwell, later, sealed the victory by hitting a six that ensured KXIP's 8-wicket triumph over RCB.
