Royal Challengers Bangalore's chase looked shaky, but a de Villiers masterclass against Steyn sealed a thrilling win
The Indian Premier League (IPL) thrives on moments of magic, where individual brilliance can turn the tide of a match in a heartbeat. On May 6th, 2012, at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) witnessed one such instance.
Chasing a daunting target of 182 set by the Deccan Chargers (now SRH), RCB found themselves in a precarious position at 147/4 after 16 overs. The experienced Tillakaratne Dilshan had laid a solid foundation with a well-made 71, but his dismissal triggered a mini-collapse. Enter AB de Villiers, the South African superstar, with the match hanging in the balance.
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Dilshan playing his natural game
Earlier, Dilshan had displayed his repertoire of shots, cutting with precision, employing the innovative scoop, and punishing loose deliveries with disdain. His knock, a blend of elegance and power, provided the platform for a successful chase. Opener Chris Gayle, however, had a subdued outing, and his dismissal in the 11th over triggered a period of anxiety for RCB fans.
Even Kohli, the usually dependable batsman, fell prey to the guile of Amit Mishra's flight bowling, expertly pouched by Dale Steyn in the deep. With Dilshan's wicket in the 16th over, needing 65 runs off 28 balls, the momentum shifted towards DC.
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ABD on attacking mode
However, A.B. de Villiers had other plans. The right-hander, known for his audacious strokeplay, decided to take matters into his own hands. The arrival of Steyn, the fearsome South African pacer, in the 18th over, with 39 runs required, seemed like a strategic masterstroke by DC. But what unfolded defied expectations.
De Villiers, unfazed by Steyn's reputation, launched a brutal assault. A miscued short ball from Steyn sailed over the deep midwicket boundary for a maximum. The next delivery, a slower one, was dispatched over long periods of time with disdain. Steyn's attempt at a yorker backfired as de Villiers created room and hammered the ball over extra cover for another six. The carnage continued with a scoop shot that raced past a short fine leg, fetching a staggering 23 runs from the over.
With just 16 runs needed from the last two overs, de Villiers continued his onslaught against rookie off-spinner Anand Rajan. Two boundaries, one over extra cover and the other down the ground, further dented DC's hopes. The final nail was hammered when de Villiers launched a six-over deep mid-wicket, effectively sealing the match for RCB.
With just five balls remaining, J. Syed Mohammad, who came in at number eight, finished things off in style with a boundary off the first ball he faced. The 42-run stand between de Villiers and Mohammad, built in just 11 balls, epitomised the South African's dominance and his ability to single-handedly change the course of the match.
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Mr. 360 on his way
De Villiers' knock not only secured a thrilling victory for RCB but also served as a redemption song. Earlier in the tournament, he had been criticised for some inconsistent performances. However, on this night, he silenced his doubters with a masterclass in power hitting and calculated aggression.
Dhawan's fifty, Harris's impressive knock at the top of the order, and White's late cameo for DC were all overshadowed by de Villiers' brilliance. This match became a testament to the impact a single player can have on the outcome of a high-pressure encounter.
