AB De Villiers Back with a Bang || Makes Stunning IPL 2017
Debut
AB De Villiers Makes Stunning IPL 2017 Debut, Reveals
Inspiration Behind Sterling Comeback
AB de Villiers smashed an unbeaten 89 off just 46 balls
to help RCB post a respectable total of 148 for four. The South African came to
bat in the start of the second over after captain Shane Watson was sent packing
by Axar Patel on the last ball of the first over.
He came, he saw and he conquered. Few expected AB de
Villiers to come and make an impact like he did in his first game of IPL season
10, even he was surprised himself. But then again there is a reason he is
called the 'Superman' of cricket. As the saying goes, behind every successful
man there is a woman and De Villiers' case seems to be no different. After
making Kings XI Punjab bowlers' lives a living hell, the South African credited
his wife Danielle for helping him overcome self-doubt and for being his
inspiration.
De Villiers had missed Royal Challengers Bangalore's
first two games owing to a back injury and there was still doubt over his
inclusion in the side ahead of the match against Kings XI Punjab on Monday
night.
During Punjab's chase, the South African, who was miked
up, was asked by Sanjay Manjrekar how he overcame rustiness and was able to get
going from his very first game.
"I did surprise myself. It is a more mental thing
than anything else, it's not like you become a bad player overnight, the
rustiness you refer to is more self-doubt, which was there over the last few
days.
"I phoned my wife just before the game telling her
that I am doubting myself a bit but I surprised myself and played a few good
shots," said De Villiers.
"She was actually lying next to my boy, sleeping,
when I asked for her advice and she had to call back a few minutes later. She
told me that she backs me and to stay calm and that she was on her way,
arriving tomorrow, so I think that was the inspiration."
De Villiers smashed an unbeaten 89 off just 46 balls to
help RCB post a respectable total of 148 for four. The South African came to
bat in the start of the second over after captain Shane Watson was sent packing
by Axar Patel on the last ball of the first over.
De Villiers first shot was a defensive push that beat the
point fielder as well as third man to give him his first boundary. He then had
to curb his attacking instincts as wickets tumbled around him.
RCB were 72 for four in 15.2 overs and not going anywhere
really while De Villiers was batting on 31 off 28 balls. That's when the South
African decided he had enough of pushing it around and flexed his muscles. The
result was a sixes storm that hit Indore! In his next 18 balls, De Villiers smashed 58 runs with
two deliveries being sent out of the ground. The fearsome attack left everyone,
including Punjab captain Glenn Maxwell stunned and sent Twitter into frenzy.
