AB De Villiers helped RCB win a last-ball thriller in the IPL 2021 season opener against Mumbai Indians. He scored 48 off just 27 balls as Bangalore beat defending champions Mumbai Indians by 2 wickets in the season opener in Chennai. Mumbai continue their trend of losing their first games in the tournament. On the other hand, Virat Kohli’s men will be relieved after getting over the line in what was a tight finish for them. This was the first time ever they won a season opener whenever they have been involved in the first game of a season. More about the match in detail below.
With RCB 103 for 4 in the 15th over, the side was in a bit of bother when AB De Villiers walked out to bat. He yet again took the side out of trouble and almost took them home before he was run out in the final over of the game with the side needing seven runs in the final over.
After the game, De Villiers opened up on his runout saying that his fitness sessions ahead of the IPL was not enough to help him cross the line.
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I Felt I was Running Backwards Going For The Second: AB De Villiers
“I worked hard during the soft-season on the treadmill, but it’s just not the same. I was running in quick sand in the last 10 meters,” De Villiers said with a laugh while interacting with commentators on Star Sports.
“I don’t know what happened. It was an easy two in my opinion, but as I tapped in, and started going for the second, it felt like I was running backwards,” he added.
It was Krunal Pandya who threw accurately at the right end fifing De Villiers short of his crease.
“At that point, I knew it was going to be tight if it was a good throw. Krunal got it spot on with the throw,” De Villiers signed off.
AB De Villiers and Harshal Patel were the two architects of RCB’s win in the first game of the season. It was also the side’s first win in IPL openers. While De Villiers scored a brisk 48, Patel’s five for 27 ensured that Mumbai could not score an imposing total batting first.
Also Read: IPL 2021, Match 1 MI vs RCB: Bangalore Win Last-Ball Thriller In Season Opener
