New Delhi: Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) might have lost their third match of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2017 against Kings XI Punjab (KXIP), but the spectators at the Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore got entertainment worth their money as AB de Villiers smashed unbeaten 89 runs off 46 balls.
The maverick right-hander, who missed out on the first few matches due to a back injury he sustained during a domestic competition back home, played a crucial knock in the absence of skipper Virat Kohli.
AB came to the crease in the first over itself after stand-in skipper Shane Watson was bowled by Axar Patel.
De Villiers made a cautious start as wickets fell from the other end.
But towards the end, the right-hander once again showed why he is termed 'Mr 360' as he tonked KXIP bowlers to all parts of the ground.
Especially in the death overs, AB looked in a brutal mood as it started raining boundaries in Indore with him in full flow.
The highlight of AB's knock was a sensational six he hit off pacer Sandeep Sharma's bowling, which cleared the ground. It was a full-toss outside the off-stump which the batsman slog-swept over deep midwicket as the ball cleared the ground.
Watch the video here:
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It was because of AB's lusty blows that Bangalore managed to reach a respectable 148-run total, as at one stage, they were struggling to reach 120.
AB's knock however went in vain as KXIP chased down the 148-run target in 14. 3 overs. Hashim Amla (58*) and skipper Glenn Maxwell (43*) played two crucial knocks for the team.
