IPL 2016: AB de Villiers can predict what the opposition will do, says Dale Steyn

South African fast bowler Dale Steyn has reportedly commended AB de Villiers' ability to read the minds of the opposition following the latter's match-winning knock against his team, Gujarat Lions. Royal Challengers Bangalore made it to their third IPL final riding on an unbeaten 79 from de Villiers in the first qualifier of the VIVO IPL 2016. Steyn, who was not picked to play in the match, watched from the sidelines as his fellow countryman took apart the Lions bowling attack and rescued RCB from a difficult situation.

In a column for the Times of India, the 32-year old wrote, "AB is like a mind-reading bloodhound. He can smell the emotions of the opposition and he predicts what they are going to do and how they will behave. He probably sensed that the bowlers were on edge, desperate for another wicket to get into the tail, and he pounced - reversing the pressure as we always try to do. He was brilliant - again."

Steyn bore the brunt of de Villiers' exceptional batting skills in the 2014 IPL when he was smashed for 23 runs in a single over by his South African team-mate. AB has been in tremendous form this season with 682 runs at an average of 56.83 and a strike rate in excess of 170.

The Proteas pacer also highlighted the fact that AB de Villiers never keeps track of his best knocks but his innings on Tuesday is certainly among his best. "When AB de Villiers is at the crease, you do not discount anything. Anything. I know he doesn't keep a list of his favourite or best innings, never has, but there must be people who do. I wonder where they put that one. Top ten?" wrote Dale Steyn.

There may be a distinct possibility of Steyn facing up to de Villiers one more time if Gujarat Lions managed to make it to the final and decide to include the former in the playing XI.