Rajasthan Royals (RR) faced Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the 33rd match of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 in Dubai on Saturday (October 17).
Opting to bat first, RR posted 177/6 in 20 overs on the back of skipper Steve Smith’s 36-ball 57. Opening the innings, Robin Uthappa also played a brilliant knock of 22-ball 41.
Chris Morris was the stand-out bowler for RCB, claiming 4 wickets by conceding 26 runs in his four overs. Leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal (2-34) also picked up a couple of scalps in his four-over quota.
In reply, RCB lost Aaron Finch (14) early. The duo of Devdutt Padikkal (35 off 37 balls) and captain Virat Kohli (43 off 32 balls) added 79 runs for the second but they failed to keep the required run-rate under check.
After their dismissal, all the hopes were on the shoulders of AB de Villiers and the South African batting genius once again delivered for RCB. He wreaked havoc on the RR bowlers from the outset to bring RCB back in the contest.
Needing 35 runs from the last two overs, De Villiers smashed three sixes and accumulated 25 runs alongside Gurkeerat Singh Mann (19* off 17 balls) in the 19th over off Jaydev Unadkat.
In the last over, RCB needed 10 and De Villiers (55* off 22 balls) whacked Jofra Archer for a maximum to take his team over the line with seven wickets and two balls to spare.
Cricket experts were left mesmerized by yet another batting masterclass of AB de Villiers in RCB’s victory.
Check out the reactions:
