IPL 8: AB de Villiers ready to fight it out for final spot
De Villiers says RCB will be wary of CSK as they are a tough team to beat
Ranchi: Notwithstanding the comprehensive win against Rajasthan Royals in their IPL Eliminator, AB de Villiers says Royal Challengers Bangalore will be wary of Chennai Super Kings in Friday’s qualifier as they are a tough team to beat.
“It is going to be a very difficult match. We know that CSK are a very good and tough team to beat. We would love to go to Ranchi and beat them. It would be amazing if we can then go a step further and win the trophy. Right now we have to take it step by step,” said de Villiers.
The South African hit a fighting 66 and shared a match-winning 113-run stand with Mandeep Singh (54 not out) as the Bengaluru outfit recovered from a sluggish start to post a challenging 180 for four and eventually won by 71 runs against Rajasthan Royals in Pune on Wednesday.
Asked if his batting at No.3 gives RCB a chance of winning, de Villiers said: “It does give me a chance to pace my innings and build it in cases like the one (against Rajasthan Royals).
This wasn’t an easy wicket to bat on. I wouldn’t have been able to get those shots away in the slog overs had I just come in to bat. I tried to do it earlier in my innings but I failed. That is why I say a lot of credit should go to Mandeep. He helped me get a bit of momentum by my side and it paid off.”
De Villiers said he was happy to play a part in the development of the youngsters. “That is what it is all about. I am trying to make a positive influence on young players,” he said.