Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) youngster Mandeep Singh showcased some brilliant batting skills against Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the Eliminator of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2015 at Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune on Wednesday.
The young player said it was like a dream come true to be batting with AB de Villiers.
RCB was struggling at 55 for two at one stage, but it was Mandeep and de Villiers, who powered the team to a total of 180 runs with the help of their 113 runs partnership.
"I think even modern day cricketers consider him his idol. It is like a dream come true to be playing with him," Mandeep said in an interview with the official website of the IPL.
"I have learnt a lot from him already and whatever he has taught me, I have straightaway incorporated those things in my game. It is already helping me in my game and I can see a lot of positive results in my batting," he added.
Although de Villiers got out before the end of the innings, Mandeep made sure that he bats throughout the 20 overs. He remained unbeaten till the end with 54 runs off 34 balls. His knock included seven fours and two sixes. Rajasthan Royals batting order crumpled with just 109 runs on the board.
"This half century is very satisfying because we wanted to get a score of 150 plus on this pitch and I was happy to stay there right till the very end," Mandeep added. "AB de Villiers and I thought that anything around 150 would be great and finishing on 180 was very satisfying. I think the occasion of this innings makes it a lot more valuable. Getting an important knock in the eliminator is really heartening because it was a big occasion. I feel I played really well in this game."
