AB de Villiers blasted nine sixes and three fours to reach 89 off 43 deliveries, as Royal Challengers Bangalore suffered an eight-wicket defeat to Kings XI Punjab.
This was De Villiers’ first game back from injury and he shook off any questions of rustiness.
The fall of wickets saw RCB reduced to 68-4, but despite wickets tumbling around him, De Villiers put in a marvellous lone-batting display to prevent his side from posting an embarrassing total.
He came to the crease with the score at 2-1, after RCB lost their captain Shane Watson (1) in the first over. De Villiers paced himself, playing conservatively, despite his instinctive attacking nature, yet still managed to reach a 34-ball fifty (four sixes and two fours).
Mandeep Singh (28 of 34 balls) and Stuart Binny (18 off 20 balls) supported their star batsman well, as he smashed another five maximums to reach 89 off 43 deliveries, helping his side to 148-4 (20 overs).
Despite RCB suffering their 11th defeat in 19 games to Kings XI Punjab, his performance will go down as one of his greatest IPL knocks.
ALSO SEE: Top 5: De Villiers IPL knocks
Hashim Amla was another Proteas player who starred for his side. His 38-ball 58 led Kings XI Punjab to an eight-wicket win against RCB.
ALSO READ: Amla outshines AB’s heroics
Photo: Cricinfo/Shaun Roy/IPL/Sportzpics
