I've Done All The Work And Now It's All About Being As Fresh As I Can When I Go Out To Bat: AB de Villiers

Royal Challengers Bangalore keeper-batsman AB de Villiers played yet another game-changing knock against the Delhi Capitals as his exploits earned his side a one-run victory. AB de Villiers arrived at the crease when Glenn Maxwell perished and stayed till the end to guide Bangalore to 170. The former South African skipper underlined that it is all about being ready now since he has done all the work before the tournament.

Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal perished in back to back deliveries after an assured start. Capitals’ leggie Amit Mishra showed Glenn Maxwell the way out after he hit two sixes. Rajat Patidar and AB de Villiers added 54 off 38 balls before the latter holed out to Steve Smith, giving his second wicket. De Villiers taking 23 runs off Marcus Stoinis in the 20th over, including three sixes, undoubtedly proved to be a game-changing over.

Royal Challengers Bangalore removed Shikhar Dhawan and Steve Smith to give themselves a significant advantage early on. Prithvi Shaw could not last long either, perishing for 21 before Rishabh Pant and Marcus Stoinis added 45. Stoinis could manage 22 as Shimron Hetmyer provided the Capitals with the much-required fireworks they needed to get moving. But with Pant struggling to find the boundaries frequently at the other end, Capitals could not score the required 14 runs in the last over.

You can’t go into the game feeling fatigued: AB de Villiers

AB de Villiers revealed that the six smashed against Kagiso Rabada over mid-wicket was his best and that it’s about managing oneself after getting into the tournament. De Villiers feels that one cannot go to any match feeling fatigued and did all the fitness drills at home. The right-handed batsman tries to keep himself fresh before every game and lauded the Indian young bowlers, who are carrying their form from international cricket. According to him, he, Virat and Maxwell, try to have fun on the field.

“I was asked this question after I batted – no offence to KG but the one over midwicket was my best one. Once you’re into the tournament, it’s more about managing yourself, make sure you’re fresh every game. You can’t go into the game feeling fatigued. I’ve really done some work at home and we have treadmills in the room. I’ve done all the work and now it’s all about being as fresh as I can when I go out to bat. We’ve got a couple of experienced heads and a couple of young Indian bowlers who have done well in international cricket recently. Myself, Maxi and Virat have played a lot. We just try to have fun out there. I’ve forced myself to savour it,” De Villiers told in the post-match presentation.

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