14 October,2020 07:03 AM IST | Sharjah | PTI
Royal Challengers Bangaloreu00c3u00a2u00c2u0080u00c2u0099s AB de Villiers in full flow against KKR at Sharjah. PIC: BCCI/IPL
Royal Challengers Bangalore captain Virat Kohli said AB de Villiers's match-wining 73 against Kolkata Knight Riders was a "superhuman" effort as "every other batsmen" struggled on the dry Sharjah pitch. RCB registered a massive 82-run win on the back of De Villiers's unbeaten 33-ball blitzkrieg and the guile of Yuzvendra Chahal (1-12) and Washington Sundar (2-20), who were instrumental in stifling KKR to 112 for nine chasing 195.
"This pitch was drier. And the day was pleasant so we thought there would be no dew. Barring one superhuman, every batsman struggled on the pitch. The talk was around getting 165, but we got 194 you know exactly why. It was unbelievable," Kohli said at the post-match presentation.
"I thought I had a few balls under my belt, and I might start striking. He [De Villiers] just came in and struck the third ball, and said he felt good. You might see a lot of people do what is done in other games, but only AB can do what he did. It was a fabulous knock." Kohli, who remained not out on 33 from 28 balls, said it was only thanks to the genius of De Villiers that his side got to 194-2. "I was happy we could string together a partnership [of 100 runs], and mine was the best seat to watch from."
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Talking about the win, Kohli said, "It is a tremendous win against a very strong side. Heading into a busy week for us, it was important to start off well. The bowling unit looks that much more potent with Chris Morris coming back." De Villiers, who was adjudged Man-of-the-Match, said he surprised himself with a stupendous knock.
"I got a duck last game, that is a terrible feeling. I am very happy that I contributed. I surprised myself today to be honest. We were headed towards 140-150, and I thought I might try for 160-165, but I was surprised we reached 194," said the star South African batsman. "The margins are very small when Cummins and Russell are running in, and you need to use every bit of energy in you to keep the momentum going. I felt that energy in the bus already." Asked about keeping wickets, he said, "Keeping is a different skill. I am working really really hard so that I am up to the mark. I want to be the best that there is."
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