IPL 2019: Scott Styris feels RCB should trade AB de Villiers to improve their batting

RCB managed to post 213 runs on the board even without AB de Villiers on Friday.

Published - 20 Apr 2019, 11:09 IST | Updated - 20 Apr 2019, 11:09 IST

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Former New Zealand allrounder Scott Styris feels Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) should trade their batting mainstay AB de Villiers in order to bring in two ‘good local Indian’ batsmen. RCB’s fortunes have been on the decline this season too. One of the reasons behind it is the failure of their middle-order batsmen to deliver. The ever-dependable Virat Kohli, as well as De Villiers, have batted quite well this season but failure from others have hurt the team’s chances.

RCB are now all but out of the contention for a playoffs spot. With just 2 wins from nine games, it would take nothing less than a miracle for them to make it to the next round. In case, they fail to make it to the playoffs, it would only extend their poor record in the IPL. De Villiers has been with the team since 2011. And although he has played his part as a batsman to perfection, he has not quite managed to change the team’s overall fortunes.

Perhaps this was the reason why Scott Styris suggested that it was high time RCB move on from the former South Africa skipper. Speaking on Star Sports, the cricketer-turned-commentator expressed his views. However, it did not go down well with one fan as he lashed out at the former Kiwi international.

Taking to Twitter, the fan wrote, “Is @scottbstyris out of his mind? AB has been carrying rcb in batting through the season when no one not even Kohli was scoring. now just got one good innings and you want to trade AB? No sense at all.”

Is @scottbstyris out of his mind?AB has been carrying rcb in batting through the season when no one not even Kohli was scoring. now just got one good innings and you want to trade AB? No sense at all
— Gunesh jha (@Guneshjha4) April 19, 2019

Scott Styris replies:

Scott Styris was quick to reply as he admitted that De Villiers was a genius. However, he pointed out why it is important for the RCB to move on now, tweeting, “ABD is a genius. But things arent working at RCB. So yes I’d trade him and get two very good local Indian bats back. Overseas can be replaced. Big call I know, but the right one?? #selectdugout”

ABD is a genius. But things arent working at RCB. So yes I'd trade him and get two very good local Indian bats back. Overseas can be replaced. Big call I know, but the right one?? #selectdugout https://t.co/4QtXqTShNv
— Scott Styris (@scottbstyris) April 19, 2019