IPL 2018: Mandeep Singh Maintains AB de Villiers Makes Batsmen's Job Simple
Published - 22 Apr 2018, 04:03 PM | Updated - 22 Aug 2024, 11:50 PM
Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) middle-order batsman, Mandeep Singh revealed talismanic batsman AB de Villiers makes the life of other batsmen pretty simply as the latter played an outstanding knock of 90* as Bangalore thrashed Delhi Daredevils by six wickets on Saturday (April 21) night.
Meanwhile, the South African batsman looked untroubled on a surface that had a bit of grip and turn on offer for the spinners.
However, Gautam Gambhir, sensing opportunity opened the bowling with the slow bowlers, De Villiers was quick to get rid of them.
Chasing a challenging total, the Challengers were in trouble early on after losing two wickets. However, skipper Virat Kohli and de Villiers steadied the ship for their team.
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Kohli departed after scoring a well-made 30 off 26 deliveries, however, de Villiers carried on. He then partnered Corey Anderson and Mandeep to take the team through.
The middle-order batsman from Punjab, Mandeep played a useful hand scoring 17 runs off nine deliveries. He has been in good touch right from the start of the tournament which will be a big boost for the franchise.
As a result, Bangalore jumps up to the fifth spot with two wins from five games while considering the IPL 2018 points table.
AB makes the life of other batsmen simple: Mandeep
Mandeep lauded his teammate after his outstanding show and revealed the strategy while batting with the master.
“When he is batting, our job is very simple — to rotate the strike because we know his ability. AB is AB. He does it every 3-4 games,” Mandeep said.
“Whenever I bat with him I try to rotate strike and give it to him. Although we have to ensure the pressure doesn’t get to him and we score whenever chances come by. But it is important to give him the strike,” Mandeep added.
“It is important to stay in the situation. I think if you see the game against Kings XI Punjab, I was tempted to hit big shots but then I made up my mind that I have to stay there for a while (with AB) and not play a super shot and get out. We just needed to build a partnership over there to win the game,” he added.
The 26-year-old Mandeep Singh also admitted that dew played a role during the second innings and helped them eventually in between when de Villiers didn’t allow Delhi Daredevils’ bowlers to settle down.
Meanwhile, the Royal Challengers will look to continue the gained momentum in the upcoming fixtures.
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