AB de Villiers registers 5000 IPL runs in fewest deliveries

After a low scoring match in the first encounter, it was a cliff-hanger in the second. The second match was played on the same strip as yesterday but the only changes were the teams and their intent. Royal Challengers Bangalore were put to bat first by Delhi Capitals skipper Rishabh Pant. AB de Villiers brilliance, helped them post 171. Their bowlers were on top of the game till Shimron Hetmyer arrived. A blazing half-century by him almost had Delhi over the ropes. But, fell inches short and Bangalore won by a mere one run. In IPL, this was the 11th instance of a team winning by just a run. By virtue of a win against Delhi, Bangalore are now back as table toppers.

Delhi’s 200th IPL match

There are only five teams which have been a part of all the editions of IPL and Delhi are one of those. In tonight’s match, they featured for the 200th time in IPL. Only two other teams have achieved this. The Bangalore based franchise has played 202 games and Mumbai Indian have played the most – 208. Among the present 200 club members, Mumbai is the only team to achieve a title – five times. Bangalore have made it to the finals on three occasions, 2009 against Deccan Chargers, 2011 against Chennai Super Kings and in 2016 against Sunrisers Hyderabad. As for Delhi, them making it to the finals last year was their only shot at the title.

The fastest man to 5000 runs in IPL

The superman from South Africa was once again to the rescue of Bangalore. Time and time again, AB de Villiers has bailed them out and that is one of the reasons why he is one of the two overseas players to score 5000 runs in IPL. The biggest perk in AB’s batting is his ability to score quick runs irrespective of the situation. He reached the landmark in 161 innings, the third quickest among the six players to reach 5000 runs in IPL. To better that, AB reached the landmark in 3288 deliveries, making him the fastest to 5k runs in terms of balls.

Abraham “Brilliant” de Villiers

Just like Virat Kohli said in the post-match presentation, it is baffling as to how this man is able to bat with such composure and calmness after not playing competitive cricket for long-time. In tonight’s match, AB had come to bat at number five after the dismissal of Glenn Maxwell. In IPL, this was the 102nd innings of AB batting at number 4 or lower. In the 102 innings, he has 22 scores of over 50, no other batsman has more than him batting in these positions, only MS Dhoni has the same number of 50+ scores.

Rishabh Pant slowing down

In a chase of 172, much more was required of Rishabh Pant when he came out to bat. Unfortunately, wickets falling at the other end at the start of his innings, made him to anchor the innings. But, even after a certain point, he failed to accelerate. He reached his half-century of 46-balls, his slowest ever in IPL and the joint slowest for a Delhi batsman in a loss. In addition to his woes, Rishabh has had two 50+ scores this season and in both of those, he hasn’t hit a six. In total, Rishabh has hit only two sixes this season.