IPL 2021: ‘He is timeless,’ Brian Lara and Matthew Hayden leapt praises for AB de Villiers after heroics against Mumbai Indians
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Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) wicketkeeper-batsman AB de Villiers once again turned the tables for his side. The swashbuckling cricketer played a fantastic knock of 48 runs off just 27 deliveries during the IPL 2021 season opener against Mumbai Indians. His efforts helped RCB to clinch a victory from the jaws of defeat at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai.
Former West Indian cricketer Brian Lara appreciated de Villiers while calling him ‘timeless’. He said that the RCB batsman was explosive at the right time and he nicely controlled the game.
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“He is timeless. He has got the experience. IPL is the only form of cricket he is playing at the moment. I suppose he is keeping fit and ready for it. At this stage, when you lost Virat Kohli, RCB needed him to come good. He was explosive at the right time, he controls the game. He came in after Glenn Maxwell as well, he controlled the game and got them home,” Brian Lara said.
‘Absolutely remarkable performance from ABD’: Matthew Hayden
Former Australian opener Matthew Hayden agreed to what Lara said. Hayden also hailed his presence of mind of ABD during the run chase. He mentioned that de Villiers’ 12 runs off Jasprit Bumrah during the 19th over emerged crucial in the match.
“Absolutely remarkable performance from ABD. To just have the presence of mind, when to go and when to hold back… the rotation of strike and the clean striking of the ball,” Hayden said.
“The mark of a great player is how they take on other great players. Jasprit Bumrah is one of the best death bowlers, he has been for quite some time in this tournament. But ABD went straight after him, straight on the front shoe and those 12 runs in the 19th over is where Mumbai Indians came short,” Hayden further said.
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Sachin Arora
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