IPL 2020: AB De Villiers Firm On RCB Finishing On The Top Instead Of Merely Reaching The Playoffs

Royal Challengers Bangalore keeper-batsman AB De Villiers has been in a scintillating form in IPL 2020. Being one of the most experienced batsmen in the line-up, AB De Villiers has a responsibility to inspire his side to crushing victories and he has so far. Ahead of the clash against Kolkata Knight Riders, De Villiers underlined that RCB wants to finish at the top of the points table and not just reach the knockouts.

AB De Villiers’ latest of four half-centuries came against the Rajasthan Royals in Dubai in RCB’s last game. The Royal Challengers looked set to sustain their fourth loss before the 36-year old launched a stunning assault on the Royals’ bowlers and Jaydev Unadkat, in particular, to steer his side to a seven-wicket victory. De Villiers also keeps wickets for the team and is indispensable if RCB are to lift their maiden title.

Ahead of the clash against the Knight Riders in Abu Dhabi, AB De Villiers said that the game is going to be crucial for them and is an opportunity to keep pushing for a place in the playoffs. While the right-handed batsman wants RCB to finish in the top two, he admits it is not going to be easy and will focus on getting the basics right to get the momentum behind them. The three-time finalists are currently in the third spot behind Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals with 12 points.

“The next game is against KKR, and as you guys know, it is an important game for us. We have an opportunity to really keep pushing hard and keep knocking on the door of the playoffs. With it, we can also send a message to the other teams that we are here to finish at the top of the table and to not just qualify for the playoffs. I really think we have the ability to do that. But we know that it is not going to be easy. So, all the focus on the next game and we are going to try and do the basics well, and to try and find the way to get the momentum behind us and then to run with it,” De Villiers stated as quoted by India Today.

“We’ll be definitely focussing on that”: AB De Villiers

The former South African skipper feels that the side which finishes on the top of the points table at the end of group stage holds a mental edge. Hence, AB De Villiers is firm on attaining that position and reveals that they will have to take one game at a time to do that.

“There is definitely a mental edge that a team takes in finishing at the top, having been the most consistent team over 14 matches against the best teams in the IPL. So, we will definitely be focusing on that. We know that we will have to take it one hurdle at a time though,” he added.

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