On this Day in 2018 - AB-solute carnage at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium

Royal Challengers Bangalore were staring down the barrel with just one win in four matches. With a lot riding on the team, they were determined to get back to the winning terms at home. The M.Chinnaswamy Stadium took centre stage as Royal Challengers Bangalore squared off against the Delhi Daredevils. 

Delhi Daredevils suffer an early setback 

Earlier in the evening, Royal Challengers Bangalore won the toss and elected to field first. With 7 wickets in 4 games, Umesh Yadav was the major highlight for the home side in the first few games. However, the pacer struck the first blood, rushing Gautam Gambhir with pace and in the process miscuing the pull shot to find the short forward leg fielder. 

Yuzvendra Chahal, introduced into the attack in the 6th over, provided an instant breakthrough. The leggie trapped Jason Roy with the help of a flipper, which snuck past his willow brushing the stumps. 

Half-centuries from Shreyas Iyer and Rishab Pant help Delhi post a commendable total

With Gautam Gambhir and Jason Roy back to the hut inside the powerplay, the youngsters, Shreyas Iyer and Rishab Pant joined hands in a bid to resurrect the innings. On a track which aided the spinners, the pair employed sweep shot to great effect, thereby obliterating the turn. Initially, they resorted to a measured approach; taking calculated risks and slashing away the loose offerings to the boundary. However, as the innings took some shape, the duo began to come out of their shell and showcased their hard-hitting proficiencies. In just 49 balls, the duo formed a 75-run partnership which was instrumental in laying the foundation for the next batters to follow. Shreyas Iyer brought up his half-century in just 29 balls. Washington Sundar accounted for Shreyas Iyer with a wide delivery outside the off-stump which saw him hovering out to the backward point fielder. Delhi Daredevils' premier batsman, Glenn Maxwell walked into the bat. Brought into the attack in the 16th over, Yuzvendra Chahal gagged Glenn Maxwell with his loopy flighted delivery; denting their hopes of posting a competitive total on board. 

After being reduced to 105-4 in the 16th over, Rishab Pant decided to take matters into his own hands. The southpaw projected a majority of unorthodox shots during his stay at the crease; changing the whole tempo of the game. Rahul Tewatia and Rishab Pant added 65 runs for the sixth wicket. Pant's 48-ball stay at the crease was aided with 6 fours and 7 sixes - guiding the team to a challenging total of 175 runs. 

In reply to the chase, Quinton de Kock looked good as he portrayed fine stroke play against Trent Boult. RCB received a jolt when Manan Vohra departed early after inducing a false shot to find a fielder patrolling the deep square leg boundary. Virat Kohli walked into the middle in the 3rd over. Initially, the flamboyant batsman found it hard and took some time to set his eye in. An error in the communication saw Quinton de Kock sacrifice his wicket. 

AB de Villiers portrayed batsmanship of the highest order  

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The dismissal marked the arrival of AB de Villiers. The Proteas batsman didn't waste any time and went harsh on the bowlers from the word go; scoring consecutive boundaries of Shahbaz Nadeem's deliveries. From cover drives, flicks, slog sweeps, and reverse sweeps to perfectly executed cut shots -  AB de Villiers displayed a wide array of shots. Virat Kohli played the role of a second fiddle and anchored the innings at the other end. However, Trent Boult's acrobatic act on the field halted Virat Kohli's 26-ball stay at the crease.

The Proteas batsman brought up his half-century in just 24 balls. AB de Villiers essayed one of the finest knocks blended with conventional and unorthodox shots. Corey Anderson and AB de Villiers knit together a vital 56-run partnership. Trent Boult accounted for Corey Anderson with a soaring yorker which sent his leg-stump cartwheeling.

AB de Villiers struck consecutive boundaries to spur RCB to a 6-wicket win over Delhi Daredevils - putting an end to a two-match losing streak.