IPL 2017: AB de Villiers had an emotional message for fans after KKR humiliated RCB

KKR trumped RCB by 82 runs

What’s the story?

Kolkata Knight Riders scripted a remarkable 82- run win at their fortress Eden Gardens by dismissing Royal Challengers Bangalore's star-studded batting lineup for only 49 runs. Post the humiliating defeat, AB de Villiers posted a video for RCB fans on the team’s Facebook page. In the video, the star batsman says,

“It’s difficult to find words after that embarrassing performance in Kolkata last night but the fact of the matter is it’s done and dusted. It’s something in the past and there is nothing we can do now to change our performance. What we can do is to look for a solution I believe there are two things we need to.

“No. 1 looking at ourselves in the mirror. Each and every player has to look at themselves in the mirror and find a way to become better for the rest of the tournament and find a way to up your game. No.2 Opportunity. We have 7 games left for the rest of the tournament and every single game is an opportunity to find a spark and get the momentum rolling.

“Tomorrow is another opportunity against the Sunrisers and we need to find a way to lit that spark. I know we can do it and I really believe that in my heart we have what it takes to turn it around again. I hope you believe it too.”

In case you didn’t know...

Chasing KKR's low 131, RCB were bundled out for 49, the lowest total in the Indian Premier League history. The previous being 58 by Rajasthan Royals against RCB in 2009. Nathan Coulter-Nile (3/21), Chris Woakes (3/6) and Colin de Grandhomme (3/4) were brilliant with the ball for KKR as they skittled out their rivals for their lowest score ever.

The heart of the matter

Captain Virat Kohli was also dejected after the shameful loss, and said that such performance from a batting line-up like RCB’s was ‘unacceptable’. Calling it the RCB's "worst batting performance” Kohli said that "it really hurts".

What’s next?

On Tuesday night, weather played spoilsport as the clash between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Sunrisers Hyderabad was called off due to rain at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. Both the teams shared a point each, due to which RCB have been virtually knocked out of the tournament. They will need to win all six of their remaining matches, with the first being against Gujarat Lions on Thursday.

Author’s Take

During the build-up to the 8-teams league, most of the fans and cricket veterans predicted RCB as the toughest team to beat due to their strong batting line-up which boasts of name like Virat Kohli, Ab de Villiers, Chris Gayle, Shane Watson, Kedar Jadhav.

However, what has transpired until this stage of the IPL has been contrary to expectations, and the loss against KKR was utterly demoralizing to say the least.