IPL 2020: AB De Villiers Breaks His Silence After Being Demoted To Number Six Against KXIP

Royal Challengers Bangalore keeper-batsman AB De Villiers has been in a scintillating form in the current IPL edition. Having scored two half-centuries already, AB De Villiers was in full flow against Kolkata Knight Riders as he took their bowlers to the cleaners on his way to 73* off 33 deliveries. Hence, when he came out at number six against Kings XI Punjab, there were a few eyebrows raised and the former South African skipper has broken his silence on the same.

AB De Villiers, who came out to bat at number six instead of number four against Kings XI Punjab in Sharjah, could manage only two runs out of five deliveries. At the post-match presentation, captain Virat Kohli underlined that they planned to deploy left-right combination, which did not work. The Royal Challengers suffered the third loss of their season and second to Kings XI Punjab as they gunned down 172 with eight wickets to spare.

AB De Villiers conceded that he is a team man and that he is not going to go against a strategy deployed by the captain and coach. He believes that supporting their move is his job and it’s a trait of a successful team.

“At the outset, let me say I am a team man. If the coach and captain agree a strategy, I am not going to second guess them. I will always support them. That’s the way successful teams function,” De Villiers said as quoted by News18.

“That was a legitimate cricketing decision” : AB De Villiers

The 36-year old further said that the management asked to wait since KXIP’s two leg-spinners were bowling and they needed left-handers to face them. De Villiers thought it was a valid decision since teams around the globe preferred left-handed batsmen to face wrist-spinners. The Pretoria-born cricketer is happy to serve the team in whatever capacity demanded and will do everything in his power to make RCB win the title.

“At that precise moment, I was asked to wait because the coach and captain had decided to send out left-handers to face the two KXIP leg-spinners, who were bowling at the time. That was a legitimate cricketing decision. Teams all around the world often prefer left-handed batsmen to face leg-spin bowling.

I did not question the call at the time it was made, and I do not question the call now. There is absolutely no problem from my side. For my part, I am eager and willing to bat wherever and whenever the team needs me, and to help RCB advance our campaign to realise our potential and win this league,” he added.

Also Read: IPL 2020: AB de Villiers Will Have A Lot Of Say In The Game Against Rajasthan Royals- Aakash Chopra