IPL 2018: Hopefully We Can Give the Chinnaswamy Crowd Something to Cheer About Tomorrow - AB de Villiers

Royal Challengers Bangalore have kept their hopes of qualifying for the playoffs of IPL 2018 alive after registering a comprehensive victory by ten wickets against the Kings XI Punjab a couple of days ago.

It was a thoroughly professional bowling display by RCB. Ahead of that match, the bowling had struggled in most of the games. Despite their batsmen setting up huge totals, the bowlers were not able to defend it.

However, against Punjab, it was a rejuvenated unit who had gained confidence from their victory against the Delhi Daredevils. It was a great effort from the Bangalore bowlers to restrict a star-studded Kings XI Punjab to just 88 runs.

KXIP skittled out quite cheaply. Umesh Yadav was awarded the Man of the Match for his terrific spell of bowling. The speedster finished with 3/23 in his four overs spell.

The target of 89 was chased down by Bangalore at a canter. Openers, Virat Kohli and Parthiv Patel ensured Bangalore reached the target without any hiccups. Meanwhile, Bangalore will be facing Sunrisers Hyderabad on Thursday at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in what will be a do-or-die clash for the Royal Challengers Bangalore.

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They have to win their remaining couple of games to harbour hopes of progressing through to the next around.

Ahead of the much-anticipated clash, MR 360 and one of an integral part of the Bangalore set up; AB de Villiers shared a video on his website where he backed Bangalore to play well and make it to the playoffs.

They have increased their net run rate by a substantial margin. Hence it will be helpful if there is a situation where many teams remain stranded on 14 points.

De Villiers speaks ahead of Bangalore’s must-win clash against Hyderabad,

“We are finally back in Bangalore after four consecutive away matches. We finished really well, two wins on a trot. It is not always easy when you are touring. Now we find ourselves playing in front of our home crowd against tomorrow against the Sunrisers Hyderabad. It’s a huge game for us. Obviously, a must-win game and we find ourselves in a position where we can possibly qualify if we finish well in the tournament,” De Villiers said.

“We need two wins. Let’s take one game at a time. Tomorrow is a big game for us and against the top of the lot. Hyderabad has been playing really well this season, but we do believe that after two wins we have got some momentum, we have got some belief. Most importantly the belief that we can do it and can go through.”

“Cant wait to see the crowd at Chinnaswamy again tomorrow. It’s always a great pleasure playing in front of your home crowd, and hopefully, we can give them something to cheer about.”

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