RCB out of race, De Villiers backs MI to lift IPL title
Last season’s finalists Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) haven’t enjoyed the best of results in the 2017 Indian Premier League (IPL).
The five-wicket loss to Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede on Monday leaves RCB second from bottom of the table with five points from 11 games. With their campaign in tatters, star batsman AB de Villiers is hoping RCB can finish with their heads held high.
“Unfortunately this year, we haven’t played as well as we wanted to. But I think there are still some very good lessons that we learnt this season,” said De Villiers during a promotional campaign.
Talking about the defeat to Mumbai Indians, he said: “Those last few balls, I was quite nervous and hoping we could somehow find a way to pull through. It wasn’t meant to be but we have a few more games left and hopefully we will finish the season with a bit of dignity.”
“I thought we did well in the game
(against Mumbai), which is great.
That’s what you want in cricket — you want to compete. I think we let ourselves down in the last few games because we were not competing as well as we wanted to.”
De Villiers rated Mumbai Indians as one of the favourites for the title, saying: “Mumbai can be very happy with Rohit Sharma batting so well. They have been a wonderful team and have a good chance of going all the way this season.”
De Villiers has played in the IPL since its inauguration and reflected on his three years with Delhi Daredevils and seven with RCB fondly. He has great memories of the tournament, where he has become a huge draw.
“The last 10 years have been all about memories. I have created some great memories in India.
“The fans, friendships I’ve made in the team and with the people who support us — those are the kind of things that stand out to me over the last 10 years. “It’s just great memories and I am honoured and privileged to have been a part of it.” De Villiers said he planned to rope in RCB skipper Virat Kohli to help spread the word about his initiative on child education awareness.
The next target is the ICC Champions Trophy in England and Wales.
“I love my child. It’s obviously been a huge change in my life with him being around. There’s another one on the way so a lot of things are changing in my life.
“I hope to still be there and continue what I’m doing which is playing cricket. It’s my first love. I have a passion for cricket so I’ll play for as long as I can.”