IPL 2020: "Still get nervous in chases," admits AB de Villiers after taking RCB to an amazing win over RR

De Villiers helped his side chase down 64 off last five overs against RR.

AB de Villiers | BCCI/IPL

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) batsman AB de Villiers had a routine day against Rajasthan Royals (RR) as he won yet another game for his team. RCB won the match by seven wickets and De Villiers scored an unbeaten 55 off 22 balls.

RCB needed 64 runs in the last five overs and De Villiers scored 49 runs off it in just 15 deliveries. He made the chase look easy by targetting the right bowlers. Jaydev Unadkat went for 25 runs in the 19th over when they needed 35 runs to win the match from the last two overs. 

Although De Villiers has similarly won many games for RCB, he admitted the chases still make him nervous. "Extremely happy. I felt we bowled as well as we could have. Leaked some runs, no-balls which usually Yuzi doesn't do. Went in feeling we gave away 15-20 too much," said de Villiers during the post-match presentation.

ALSO READ: IPL 2020: Cricket fraternity in awe as AB de Villiers’ brutal 55* powers RCB to 7-wicket win over RR

"But Virat and I spoke that we string together some partnerships and then go ahead. I'm very very nervous and erratic [in chase] and I get very stressed like any player," he added.

Jofra Archer bowled the final over and he just 10 runs to defend, which weren't easy against De Villiers. RCB ended up scoring the remaining runs in just four balls and secured two points.

"I always respect the bowlers. If they bowl well to me, they'll have the upper hand. I didn't hit even one of them [sixes] off the middle. When Unadkat was bowling, I was looking leg side but to be honest I was nervous because I knew I had to hit it well. Luckily I got a few away," said De Villiers.

De Villiers is keen to put up a good performance for his team and he rues the failure in the last game against Kings XI Punjab.

"I want to perform for the team and show the owners I'm here for a good reason. And family, fans, and also for myself. Last game I didn't perform my role as well as I should have, but this time I did. It's a cat and mouse game," he said.

 
 

By Sihyeu Singh - 18 Oct, 2020

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