Bengaluru: There is something about AB de Villiers and the Bengaluru crowd that strikes a chord; it goes beyond the normal. He’s brutal with the bat, yet sentimental when it comes to this city and this franchise.
The Bengalureans are immensely vocal in their support for Virat Kohli and Chris Gayle but reserve a special place in their hearts for the affable South African.
Nothing can shake their belief in him; when all else fails, they believe ABD is the only one who can deliver.
No matter what the odds are. No matter who the opponents are. No matter if the team is down to the last man. For RCB’s fans, nothing is impossible as long as ABD is around. How else do you the explain the crowd’s unshakeable trust in the man with the team teetering at 29/5 by the sixth over? But it isn’t just one way traffic.
The South African, at most times, unflappable, feeds off the crowd’s love for him with a silent vow to never let them down. Rapport doesn’t even come close to describing the mutual admiration. but it’s not a stretch to say that ABD feels more at home here than back home.
For someone who holds the record for the fastest 50, 100 and 150 in the shorter format, it’s a given that de Villiers can transform the fortunes of his side in quick time. True, T20 doesn’t offer him the time and space as the ODIs, but the Royal Challengers Bangalore’s batsman is happy with what’s on offer, doing what he can and with a mind that is uncluttered of all that is uncontrollable.
More than ABD’s unbeaten 79 off 47 deliveries, for sure he’s blazed away quicker than this in the past, it was his calming influence on Iqbal Abdulla in the course of their astonishing, unconquered 91-run seventh wicket partnership (from a no-hope 68/6) to slay the Lions and fire RCB into Sunday’s final that stood out. Yet, he remains humble.
“I honestly don’t give a damn about any stat. I don’t care about 100s, 50s, averages. Tonight was a special for me. To cross the line for the team, to have an impact on winning the game - that’s why I play this game,” said de Villiers after the adrenaline-pumping four-wicket victory on Tuesday night at the M.Chinnaswamy stadium.
The way the team mobbed him after the winning hit by Abdulla and to hear captain Kohli proclaim that there was no doubt that ABD is the best going around was testimony. “Honestly can’t explain how much it means to me. I haven’t played a lot of finals in my career. Been with RCB for six years and we haven’t seen a lot of finals.
A lot of people said we’re underperforming but it’s moments like this that really make it worthwhile. We’ve had a great team spirit for quite a few years now and we’ve played some really good cricket but just never got to enjoy a final. Hopefully we’ll win it - we don’t know what’s going to happen yet but it’s a great honour and a privilege to be in a final with this great franchise.”
