RCB have built something special with Virat Kohli and Daniel Vettori, says AB de Villiers
A herculean effort from AB de Villiers on Tuesday helped Royal Challengers Bangalore seal their place in the Indian Premier League final.
In Short
- AB de Villiers scored a breathtaking 47-ball 79
- RCB are into their third IPL final
- IPL 2016 final to be played on May 29 in Bangalore
Royal Challengers Bangalore rode on an unbelievable innings from superstar batsman AB de Villiers to beat Gujarat Lions and progress to the Indian Premier League season nine final on Tuesday. (Match Report | Highlights | Scorecard)
De Villiers' unbeaten 79 from 47 balls saw RCB chase down their target of 159 with 10 balls to spare. His knock was laced with five boundaries and as many sixes. De Villiers teamed up with Iqbal Abdulla to rescue RCB when they were reduced to 29 for five, with Virat Kohli, Chris Gayle, Shane Watson and Lokesh Rahul falling in quick succession. (Full IPL coverage)
ECSTATIC DE VILLIERS
"I was very very nervous. Just wanted to focus on the basics take it one ball at a time. I knew if I was there till the end, we would be close," de Villiers said after the match. (I bow down to AB de Villiers, says Virat Kohli)
"Virat told me to have a go at Dwayne Smith, as there was a bit of bad weather around. There was one six which just cleared the fence, got lucky there. I played just normal shots until the 15th over."
AB THANKS THE CROWD
"Have to mention about the crowd, I think it's the loudest I have ever heard a crowd in my life. See you all on Sunday (in the final). I also thought we were out of it."
De Villiers also had a special word of praise for Gujarat Lions pacer Dhawal Kulkarni, who had initially threatened to take RCB out of the contest with his four-wicket haul.
"(Dhawal) Kulkarni bowled an amazing spell, I congratulated him for it. Lions almost had the game in their pocket. But cricket is a funny game, Zaheer Khan always says that to me."
RCB HAVE A SHOT AT GLORY ONCE AGAIN
Bangalore have made it to their third IPL final, their first since 2010, when they lost in the summit clash against Chennai Super Kings at the MA Chidambram Stadium in Chepauk. (Here's how RCB reached final despite rare Kohli duck)
They will have a shot at glory once again when they return to their home ground for the final on Sunday.
"We have built something special with (Daniel) Vettori and Virat (Kohli). Shows if you stick with the same squad and have the right spirit, good things come your way.
"We were down and out in the first half of the tournament but have turned it around," de Villiers summed up.