AB De Villiers struck 57 for the Royal Challengers Bangalore on Wednesday night, but it will never be known whether or not it was a match-winning knock, as rain prevented the Rajasthan Royals from responding to the Royal Challengers 200-7.

It was an impressive total considering the start they made, and while De Villiers was largely to thank for that, so was Sarfaraz Khan, who struck a 21-ball 45.

De Villiers rescued the innings for Bangalore after skipper Virat Kohli and Chris Gayle departed for 1 and 10 respectively, as the Proteas star put on a 74-run stand with Mandeep Singh.

Contributions in the middle order, which has been a problem for the Royal Challengers this season, played its part in frustrating the Royals, as Mandeep and Dinesh Karthik both hit 27. De Villiers was run out for the second time in three matches to fall for 57, but his big hitting in the dying overs wasn’t missed thanks to Sarfaraz.

Sarafaraz, who turned 17 last October, went on a scoring spree to finish not out on 45, while David Wiese provided a late cameo with 11.

The rain however started to fall in the innings break, leaving the Challengers on three wins from their seven matches, while the Royals – who have played twice more than anyone else – hold onto second.