AB DeVilliers Takes Apart Delhi Daredevils, 21st April, 19th Match

A.B. de Villiers blasted 90 not out as Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) defeated Delhi Daredevils (DD) by six wickets to end their two-match losing streak in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

After Rishabh Pant (85) and Shreyas Iyer (52) helped Delhi post a fighting 174/5, de Villiers, who struck 10 fours and five sixes during his 39-ball unbeaten knock, single-handedly guided the hosts to the crucial win with two overs to spare.

 

 

South African de Villiers shared a 63-run third-wicket stand with captain Virat Kohli (30) at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium as RCB posted their second win in five games. RCB were in trouble after losing openers Quinton de Kock and Manan Vohra (2), with the latter failing to justify his inclusion in place of Sarfraz Khan.

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De Villiers dished out a batting masterclass as he whacked Shahbaz Nadeem for five fours, while medium pacers Harshal Patel and Chris Morris too failed to control the right-handed batsman.

With 78 required off eight overs, Harshal conceded two sixes and a four to bring the target down to 60 off seven overs – it tilted the match in favor of the hosts. In the following over, de Villiers hit Rahul Tewatia for a six as the bowler ended up conceding 11 runs.

In the 15th over bowled by Morris, de Villiers was again on the attack, hitting his compatriot for a six and a four to reduce the asking rate under seven. The ABD Blitz helped RCB overcome the Daredevils with ease.