5 Reasons why AB de Villiers will find Bangalore special in the 2nd Test between India vs South Africa

The Chinnaswamy stadium in Bangalore is set for an eventful Test match, as AB de Villiers gears up for his 100th Test match. Even though his ODI record doesn’t speak volumes about his affair with Bangalore (In 2 matches he has scored 8 runs at an average of 4.00). The Royal Challengers Bangalore’s trump card will look to stamp his authority

Here are the 5 Reasons why AB de Villiers will find Bangalore special in his 100th Test match.

1. His connection with Bangalore

Probably there’s nobody from the South African camp who knows the M Chinnaswamy stadium better than AB de Villiers himself. Bangalore is like his second home as he plays for the IPL Franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore and is one of the top scorers for his home side. He has torn up opponents and got Bangalore out of the jaws of defeat many a times. He knows the dimensions of the stadium, where to hit, how to score and win matches in this stadium. He’ll be a deadly weapon for South Africa if India doesn’t defuse him off early.

2. AB de Villiers’ 100^th Test

As a Test match player, he is one of the key men for the South African side. He has been the third highest run-getter for South Africa with 7685 runs to his name and he’s hungry to get even more. Being his 100th Test, he’ll aim to make it big and as usual not give up easily albeit with more zeal, more enthusiasm and excited to play in the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore.

3. Playing against India

AB de Villiers likes playing against India and has always performed well against them. The Test at Mohali was a bump in his career, but he’ll try to bounce back from the Bangalore Test itself. He has 944 runs against India averaging 41.04 with 3 centuries. Amit Mishra removed AB de Villiers early in both the innings of the first Test and likewise is he isn’t removed early in the second match, Mr.360 will cause problems to the host nation. “Playing my 100th Test in Bangalore is special. I love coming here and playing the IPL, and I love touring India in general”, he said.

4. His Confidence

The confidence of AB de Villiers is impeccable and can spoil any bowlers’ spells and also knows to bat patiently as the situation demands. For example, one can remember the Adelaide Test in late 2012 where he just scored 33 in 220 balls to save the Test for South Africa. His confidence and skill to play accordingly is truly one special quality of him which will guarantee him success in his upcoming cricketing career including the Bangalore Test.

5. The ‘Home’ Support

Although he’s a South African playing against India in Bangalore, the Bangalore crowd will be cheering for their ‘home’ boy. AB de Villiers is a cricketer of rare caliber for whom they cheer wherever he goes even if it’s the opponent’s stadium. Recently in the match between South Africa and the Boards President XI, the crowd cheered for him when he scored boundaries and gave him a standing ovation when he scored a century. The crowd will be cheering for him but will want an Indian win.