"Boom Boom" de Villiers give RC a perfect start to IPL campaign

ABC of cricket by AB de Villiers.

A controlled innings perfected by aggression when it mattered not only brought a perfect start to IPL 4 campaign to Team Royal Challengers, but also gave much needed relief to the millions fans who were desperate to witness how the new look team bonds in a match situation. AB, the new "Boom - Man" of Team RC, exhibited his raw power against a spirited Kochi team, which showed little signs of nervousness being debutante team in IPL. The target of 162, which at one time was looking to touch 200, was well achieved with little more an over to spare, thanks to AB's devilish strikes and the raw but matured talents of other domestic players like Mayank Agarwal, Asad Pathan and the stars like Zaheer Khan, Virat Kohli and captain courageous Daniel Vettori.

ABC of cricket by AB de Villiers.

A controlled innings perfected by aggression when it mattered not only brought a perfect start to IPL 4 campaign to Team Royal Challengers, but also gave much needed relief to the millions fans who were desperate to witness how the new look team bonds in a match situation. AB, the new "Boom - Man" of Team RC, exhibited his raw power against a spirited Kochi team, which showed little signs of nervousness being debutante team in IPL. The target of 162, which at one time was looking to touch 200, was well achieved with little more an over to spare, thanks to AB's devilish strikes and the raw but matured talents of other domestic players like Mayank Agarwal, Asad Pathan and the stars like Zaheer Khan, Virat Kohli and captain courageous Daniel Vettori.

The skipper proved his billing why he is regarded as one of the most revered spinner even in the shortest format of the game. His four overs saw only 17 runs being taken but when you include the prize wicket of the classy Kochi skipper Mahela Jayawardane to his kitty, you know Vettori meant business this IPL. He, along with the other slow bowlers of RC like Kohli and Asad brought the team back into the game after a marauding Brendon McCullum and the crafty VVS Laxman were minting in the middle of 22 yards for 80 runs in the first 9 overs. It looked at one time the target would cross 200 in no time but the openers departed in quick succession to give RC a window of opportunity to exploit.

The new look RC's gritty side was then established as the bowlers tightened the corners to restrict the chase to 162. The start of the chase saw Tilakratne Dilshan fall by the second over, but AB took over the reigns and showed his true rainbow colours of shots starting with a scoop for a six off Sreeshanth. A 52-run partnership with Saurabh Tiwary (26) plotted the foundation. AB then scored 18 runs in the 18th over to seal the fate for RC. Kohli, besides taking the prize wicket of McCullum, also made a solid 23 off 18 balls, but RC's victory had AB written all over.

A smashing start to IPL 4 notwithstanding, a spot of worry for Team RC may arise in the bowling as the fifth bowler's slot will have to be manufactured soon. Nannes, Zaheer, Vettori and Dilshan can complement each other with their millions years of experience, but Mithun's 19-run over slot machine must have put many creases on coach Ray Jenning's forehead. Between Asad and Virat the fifth bowlers combination was managed, but the team management may have to think hard about the bowling combination for the way ahead and some possible replacements in case one of the main bowlers gets slaughtered in the middle.