IPL 2020: ‘We know what needs to be done’ – AB de Villiers upbeat about RCB’s playoff hopes


IPL 2020: ‘We know what needs to be done’ – AB de Villiers upbeat about RCB’s playoff hopes

AB de Villiers

AB de Villiers

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) batsman AB de Villiers has been in great touch for his side through the course of this Indian Premier League (IPL). de Villiers has scored 339 runs for RCB this year and has produced as many as three match-winning innings. de Villiers is one of two players (along with KL Rahul) to have won three Man of the Match awards.

de Villiers’ showings in the IPL have helped RCB reach second spot on the points table. The franchise has now won 7 matches out of 12. Their hopes of making the playoffs are firmly in their hands. Unless a stunning implosion occurs, they will be able to make the playoffs. RCB’s hopes will now be on clinching top two so that they can play in the first Qualifier to give them two shots at reaching the final.

‘Stay calm and execute’ – AB de Villiers

Royal Challengers Bangalore

Writing for Hindustan Times, AB de Villiers spoke about RCB’s season so far and their hopes of getting their hands on the elusive IPL trophy. The South-African compared the current IPL to the annual Tour de France cycling tournament. “The 2020 IPL has turned into the Tour de France. Followers of elite cycling will know how stages of the leading races typically unfold: a peloton of riders forms, jockeying for position.

When one makes a move, another reacts and so on until the finish line comes into sight. Then, more often than not, all hell lets loose as every cyclist strains every sinew in a madcap, exhilarating dash for glory. This perfectly describes what is now happening in the UAE,” the RCB batsman said.

de Villiers then spoke about how RCB know what needs to be done to win the IPL. “At RCB, we know what needs to be done. To realise our goal of finishing in the top two on the table, we must defeat SRH in Sharjah on Saturday and overcome DC in Abu Dhabi on Monday. Nothing of value comes easy.

For our part, as a team we have played some excellent cricket in this tournament but we have been inconsistent at times both with bat and ball. When two batsmen get in, they need to take advantage. If two bowlers start to contain the opposition, they need to tighten the grip,” the 36-year-old added.

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