AB de Villiers sought advice from wife Danielle before blistering knock against KXIP

The superman from South Africa and RCB star batsman AB de Villiers admitted that he sought advice from his wife Danielle before the match against KXIP. He shared that his wife’s suggestions helped him overcome self-doubt, which allowed him to go out all guns blazing in his first match of IPL 10.

AB de Villiers missed the first two games for the Royal Challengers Bangalore with a back injury. However, he made a comeback to the playing XI at Indore’s Holkar Stadium in RCB’s clash against Kings XI Punjab. AB started off slowly with the bat, but unleashed his big-hitting later in the innings. He smashed an unbeaten 46-ball 89 to give RCB a decent total to defend.

AB was miked up as he came out into the field during the Kings XI chase. From the commentary box, Sanjay Manjrekar asked de Villiers how he was able to fire in his very first appearance of this edition of the IPL. The Proteas batsman admitted instantly that it was a matter of a mental block.

“I did surprise myself. It is a more mental thing than anything else, it’s not like you become a bad player overnight, the rustiness you refer to is more self-doubt, which was there over the last few days. I phoned my wife just before the game telling her that I am doubting myself a bit but I surprised myself and played a few good shots,” De Villiers said.

AB de Villiers was then asked about his wife’s advice, to which the South African replied, “She was actually lying next to my boy, sleeping, when I asked for her advice and she had to call back a few minutes later. She told me that she backs me and to stay calm and that she was on her way, arriving tomorrow, so I think that was the inspiration.”

With AB de Villiers back into action, RCB will be much more confident of their batting performances in the games to follow.