AB de Villiers a doubtful starter for home game against Daredevils

A sore back kept AB De Villiers out of RCB’s first game against Sunrisers on April 5. The star batsman’s back problems date back to a long time and were the sole reason of him relinquishing the big gloves behind the stumps. With RCB scheduled to play their second game of the season on Saturday, De Villiers still looks a doubtful starter for the fixture.

The 33-year old did not travel to Hyderabad for his side’s opening game of the season as he chose to remain in Bangalore and ascertain his back condition after having a net session on Thursday.

“I’m going to test it out this (Thursday) afternoon. We’ve got a nets session. I’ll hit a couple of balls, see what it feels like and then we’ll make a call,” he was quoted as saying by Deccan Herald.

Earlier, De Villiers shut down the option of taking the wicket-keeping gloves again in the absence of KL Rahul, who kept wickets last season. RCB then gave the responsibility to Kedar Jadhav to maintain the balance of their side.

Injuries have hit RCB’s camp hard as their skipper Kohli is nursing an injury as well. In Kohli’s absence, De Villiers was expected to lead the side but because he was injured too, Shane Watson ultimately led the side in the first game.

Kohli has maintained that he won’t get back to the field unless he gets fully fit , something which De Villiers agreed to do as well.

“I think that’s how it should be,” he said. “No matter where you’re playing or when. I don’t think any guy should step on the field if he’s not 100%. I’ve always done it that way. Even though I’m very very keen to get on the field, I’ll make sure that I’m 100% fit because if you go on the park and you’re 90%, you might be out for longer anyway. It doesn’t make sense,” he offered.

Kohli will at least miss the next two games whereas; De Villiers might be fit in time to lead the side in their third fixture against Kings XI Punjab on Monday. RCB need both their star batsmen fit and back on the field as soon as possible.

Searching for a maiden IPL title, RCB were off to a slow start as they were beaten by 35 runs by defending champions Sunrisers Hyderabad in the curtain raiser of this year’s IPL held in Hyderabad on Wednesday.

They will be looking to get on the points table in their upcoming home game against Delhi Daredevils.