Royal Challengers Bangalore batsmen AB de Villiers and Virat Kohli played a huge role with the bat in their opening game of IPL 2016 against the Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru Tuesday. The duo was involved in a partnership of 157 runs for the second wicket to build a massive total of 227 from their allotted 20 overs, which helped RCB post a 45-run victory.
De Villiers scored 82 from 42 balls, and was at his menacing best, striking the ball all around the park.The South Africa batsman hit seven fours and six sixes in his innings, and was well supported by Kohli, who scored 75 from 51.
Both the star players praised the other after their batting heroics helped RCB secure a massive win. De Villiers also praised the crowd, who cheered him on with chants of 'ABD, ABD, ABD' throughout the game.
"Absolutely love playing here. The crowd always gets behind us. Loved batting with Virat and enjoyed myself. I have been scratchy in the last few weeks, even in the nets I felt horrible," India Today quoted the South Africa batsman as saying.
Though De Villiers was hitting the ball for massive sixes, Kohli, on the other hand, went at a steady yet strong pace, after starting on a cautious note. But after the India vice-captain got into his groove, there was no stopping him, with Kohli saying De Villiers took all the pressure off him.
"We lost the toss and did not get what we wanted to. It was a really good effort from the batsmen. AB was fantastic and we've had a big partnership earlier as well. He took the pressure off me," Kohli said.
