IPL 2017: AB de Villiers reveals his wife's advice helped him overcome self-doubt

What’s the story?

Royal Challengers Bangalore star AB de Villiers admitted that his wife Danielle de Villiers’ advice helped him over self-doubt before his incredible innings against Kings XI Punjab at the Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore.

During Kings XI’s chase, Ab de Villiers was miked up and was speaking to the commentators about his innings. Sanjay Manjrekar asked him about how he was able to get going from his very first game, the South African batsman was quick to admit that it was a mental obstacle more than anything else.

“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.

When asked about what his wife's advice was, he added: “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.”

Extra Cover: IPL 2017, Team of the week: April 5th-9th

The Context

In his first game for RCB in IPL 2017, AB de Villiers smashed a 46-ball 89 which included three fours and nine sixes. After winning the toss and electing to bat first, AB came into bat at No.3 at the fall of captain Shane Watson’s wicket and his blitzkrieg helped RCB post 148/4 in 20 overs.

The heart of the matter

After missing the first two RCB games due to a back problem, AB de Villiers made his first start of the season against Kings XI Punjab. He got to the crease as early as the second over and although he began slowly, he caught up by the end of the innings. Although he scored at a run rate of nearly 200, he didn’t get too much support from his teammates as RCB couldn’t even get past 150.

What’s next?

After the game against Kings XI Punjab, RCB will next take on Mumbai Indians at home on Friday (April 14).

Extra Cover: IPL 2017: Week in review

Author’s Take

It is interesting to note that even one of the finest batsmen of his generation has doubts while coming back from injury. The fact that AB de Villiers has doubts about whether he can still deliver at his incredible standards show that he is human after all even if he looks like superman when he is smashing the bowlers to all corners of the ground, which he did during his knock against Kings XI Punjab.