IPL 2021: Ajay Jadeja Wants RCB To Promote AB de Villiers In Their Batting Order

Former Indian batsman Ajay Jadeja wants Royal Challengers Bangalore to promote South Africa batsman AB de Villiers in their batting order.

RCB defeated Rajasthan Royals by seven wickets on Wednesday at the Dubai International Stadium as they inch closer to book their playoffs berth.

RCB beat Rajasthan Royals by seven wickets

RCB bowlers made a strong comeback in the game after Rajasthan Royals openers Evin Lewis (58) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (31) blasted against them. In the final 10 overs, RCB conceded just 58 runs and restricted Sanju Samson and his men to 149/9 in the first innings.

KS Bharat and Glenn Maxwell forged a 69-run alliance before the wicket-keeper batsman departed, missing his maiden IPL fifty by six runs. Maxwell continued his flamboyance with another fifty in a row.

AB de Villiers needs more time to find his groove: Ajay Jadeja

De Villiers came to bat only hit the winning runs with a sweep shot that went past backward square leg for four runs. Jadeja felt that it was the best opportunity for the former South Africa captain, who doesn’t play international cricket anymore, to bat and get in the groove.

“Bharat has played well and the numbers show that but I would like to see ABD bat higher up the order. There might come a crucial game where RCB will need ABD to step up and he won’t get too much time. He needs more time to find his groove.”

“Your best batters have to play as many deliveries as they can. It’s an unwritten rule. The more limited the format, the more the emphasis is on your best batters playing as many deliveries as they can. There was no pressure, and I’m very happy for Bharath.

“That game was a walk in the park for RCB. ABD is not playing international cricket, so he needs time to find his groove again. He still hasn’t found it yet and this was RCBs chance to send him up the order in an easy chase and help him find some form. Couldn’t understand the decision,” he added.

AB de Villiers has scored 234 runs in IPL 2021 so far but his form in the second phase is a concern for the franchise and they must look in the same before its too late.

Also Read: Will RCB Retain Glenn Maxwell or AB de Villiers in IPL 2022 Auctions? Asks Ajay Jadeja