AB de Villiers, RCB, IPL 2021
AB de Villiers. Image Credits: BCCI

After failing against the SunRisers Hyderabad, Royal Challengers Bangalore keeper-batsman AB de Villiers fared sensationally against the Kolkata Knight Riders on Sunday. AB de Villiers and Glenn Maxwell struck whirlwind half-centuries against the Knight Riders and while the latter top-scored, the former South African captain’s knock held more impact. The right-handed batsman claimed to enjoy his batting a lot more at present.

Glenn Maxwell got into the act after Kolkata Knight Riders enjoyed a dream start, sending back Rajat Patidar and captain Virat Kohli cheaply. Maxwell raised a 28-ball half-century and his second consecutive in IPL 2021 as he shared an 86-run stand with Devdutt Padiakkal. After Padikkal perished, Maxwell added a further 86 with AB de Villiers, who finished with a flourish to lift the Royal Challengers to 204. The keeper-batsman took only 34 balls for his unbeaten 76 runs and smashed 21 in the final over.

The Most Important Thing Is I Am Enjoying Myself And My Cricket: AB de Villiers
AB de Villiers and Glenn Maxwell. (Credits: Twitter)

Shubman Gill started the mammoth run-chase blazingly as he hammered two fours and two sixes before a fielding brilliance from Daniel Christian showed him the way out. Though the Knight Riders had some boundaries coming, they kept losing wickets in clumps and slumped to 75-4 within ten overs. Despite best efforts from Eoin Morgan, Andre Russell, and Shakib Al Hasan, the two-time champions fell 38 runs short and succumbed to their second loss in IPL 2021.

It wasn’t a 200-wicket; maybe 170 was about par today: AB de Villiers

AB de Villiers, RCB, IPL 2021
AB de Villiers. Image Credits: BCCI

AB de Villiers revealed to enjoy his batting and credited Glenn Maxwell for making his job comfortable on a challenging deck. The 36-year old conceded that it was not a 200-track and they made it hard for the opposition. De Villiers stated that he relished his batting and felt delighted to have his family here.

“I did play well and had a lot of fun. Maxi made it easier and it’s difficult coming into a game on a pitch that has been slower. It was a bit of both. It wasn’t a 200-wicket; maybe 170 was about par today. The most important thing is I’m enjoying myself and my cricket – my family is here,” De Villiers told in the post-match presentation.

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