IPL 2019: AB de Villiers asks the RCB batsmen to step up against MI

Three-time finalists Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) had a poor start to their campaign in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2019 as they folded for a paltry 70 by Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and lost the game by 7 wickets. Though the wicket at the game held at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai came under the scanner from both sides as well as experts, RCB know that their batting has remained over-dependent on one or two batsmen and needs to click as a whole.

RCB next play Mumbai Indians (MI) who also lost their first game – against Delhi Capitals (DC) by 37 runs – and will be keen to turn the table around. Kohli’s men will be playing the match on Thursday on their home turf and are hoping that the wicket plays decently. Senior batsman in the side AB de Villiers, who failed to fire in the first game, though has said that the RCB are ready to play on any surface.

The former South Africa cricketer who retired last year and plays only T20 cricket now, said although conditions were difficult in the game against CSK, the team should have batted better. Only opener Parthiv Patel managed to score in the double figures (29) in the entire team. Kohli fell for just six while de Villiers managed nine.

“Very happy to be in Bangalore and yes I am hoping the wicket to be good,” de Villiers was quoted as saying by CricketNext. “Yes, every wicket in the IPL we are going to play will be different… in the world for that matter. It is up to us batters to play a good game in the next match, assess the conditions well. Whichever wicket we are getting we need to play better cricket than the last game.”

De Villiers backs RCB as a balanced side

Speaking of the CSK-RCB game, de Villiers said MS Dhoni’s side has a lot of all-rounders and bowling options but backed RCB also as a balanced team that could play on any surface in the world.

He also said Jasprit Bumrah factor will not make any difference for the RCB in their next game.

Here is RCB’s squad for IPL 2019

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