Akshdeep Nath faces RCB fans’ fury for not responding to AB de Villiers’ run call in MI game

Whenever Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) take the field in the Indian Premier League (IPL), their supporters invariably root for the big two – captain Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers, the dashing South African batsman. Monday’s game against Mumbai Indians (MI) at the Wankhede Stadium was no different and de Villiers did not disappoint his fans with yet another swashbuckling half-century (75 off 51 balls) that propelled RCB’s score to beyond 171. However, there was one incident in the final over of the RCB innings that turned the fans off.

The final over was bowled by Lasith Malinga who had taken MI to a six-run win in the last encounter between these two teams at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium last month, albeit controversially. The first ball was smashed for a six by de Villiers down the leg side after it reached as a full toss. The stage was set for a complete ‘revenge’ of the Bengaluru loss but to the utter dismay of the RCB supporters, de Villiers fell on the very next ball.

De Villiers whacked the ball to the long-on and sought a second run but his partner Akshdeep Nath (two off three balls) was slow to respond and was trying to regain his crease. The South African was already heading for a second and that gave the fielder, Kieron Pollard, enough time to eye the stumps that he did successfully from the long-on. De Villiers was around six inches short of the crease and the supporters saw his innings coming to an end prematurely.

Nath perished on the very next ball

The worst part is that Nath tried to score on the next ball but only managed a top edge that saw wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock complete the catch. It was two in two and the RCB’s momentum certainly slowed down. The Royal Challengers lost yet another wicket in the next two balls and managed two bye runs in the final ball to end up at 171 for 7.

The 25-year-old batsman from Uttar Pradesh, Nath, later faced the flak on social media for his slow response to de Villiers that left his partner short of the crease. Nath is playing his fourth season in the IPL this year and he has already played for some franchises. He got to bat just once before this match which was against Delhi Capitals and his 19 in 12 balls in that game remains his highest in the IPL so far.

Here are some reactions from RCB fans:

@sanjaymanjrekar game changer of the match should have gone to @Akshdeep_Nath or @ashishnehra64

— Abhishek Shetty (@abhishekshettyy) April 15, 2019

#PlayBold #RCB @imVkohli If thats all bowling options we have got for RCB then why not try Klaasen as an extra batsman?? He can do better than Akshdeep Nath for sure..

— ImWaz (@ImWaz3) April 15, 2019

Malinga should dedicate his MOTM trophy to Akshdeep Nath. #MIvRCB

— THUNDER BIRD (@iamthunder847) April 15, 2019

Why Akshdeep Nath is in the team? Can't bat , can't bowl and even lacks common sense. #MIvRCB

— Aayush Katz (@aayush_katiyar) April 15, 2019

Akshdeep Nath on the squad terrible mistake.

— Prasad Mane (@ThePrasadOne1) April 15, 2019

@imVkohli kohli calling Akshdeep nath in dressing room.#RCBvMI #MIvRCB #IPL2019 pic.twitter.com/7plb3zhh0A

— Hitesh Singh Airy (@hiteshsinghairy) April 15, 2019

Thanks for ruining #ABD17/RCB entire well played innings in vain @Akshdeep_Nath this is not a gully cricket at all

— sk.hussain.g (@SkHussainG) April 15, 2019

If @RCBTweets again give chance to player's like Siraj , Umesh , akshdeep nath
Then I also deserved a chance to play for #RCB @imVkohli
Atleast I would ball far better than useless Siraj #MIvRCB #RCBvMI #kohli #devilliers

— Karan RF 101 / SRH (@karanreddyRF) April 15, 2019

@Akshdeep_Nath are you mad???? Last over best batsman want to get back on strike and you stoped him😂😂😂

— Aby (@Aby96956329) April 15, 2019

@RCBTweets @imVkohli @ABdeVilliers17 I can’t understand what is akshdeep nath doing in playing 11… just to play 2-3 balls… wonder why you are ignoring shivam dube and Washington sundar… they are far better batsman and fielder and also will give you few overs if needed.

— Mitul (@drmits3784) April 15, 2019

Good that Virat is sticking to one team in the past 3 matches but I would still think there are more better players in the dugout than Akshdeep Nath, Negi, Umesh and Siraj. @RCBTweets #RCBvMI #RCB @IPL #IPL #IPL2019 @hotstartweets @ESPNcricinfo

— Abhinandan nahata (@abhirocks1992) April 16, 2019

Wondering who decides the XI in @RCBTweets … why are highly rated Shivam Dube and Washington Sundar warming the bench and a little known Akshdeep Nath preferred over them??

— ɾαյίt (@imrajitd) April 16, 2019

What a poor captaincy and worst team selection, instead of akshdeep nath you can select kalseen or washington sundar or Colin de grandhome or Hetmayer.if you want to win next year fist improve team combination and add good bowling unit, add Starc and Shai hope.

— Rahul Vincent (@RahulVincent5) April 16, 2019

Nath’s refusfal to run a second run and sacrifice himself for de Villiers has potentially cost RCB 10-15 runs there. de Villiers has a remarkable H2H record v Malinga & had five balls to attack. Poor game management from Nath. That could be decisive in two hours. #IPL #MIvRCB

— Freddie Wilde (@fwildecricket) April 15, 2019

Wouldn’t like to be in Akshdeep Nath’s shoes. Probably cost RCB 12 runs or so for refusing to come back for the second.

— Lawrence Booth (@the_topspin) April 15, 2019

Get the latest Cricket News and updates from the Indian Premier League, Match Predictions, Fantasy Cricket Tips and lots more on CricTracker.com.