IPL: Top 5 batting performances in the IPL playoffs

#4. AB de Villiers vs Gujarat Lions, 2016

ABD's 79 took RCB to their third IPL final

This was the first qualifier of IPL 2016. The venue was the M Chinaswamy Stadium at Bangalore and Royal Challengers Bangalore were up against new franchise Gujarat Lions.

RCB skipper Virat Kohli won the toss and put the Lions to bat first. Gujarat Lions lost the wickets of Aaron Finch, Brendon McCullum and skipper Suresh Raina in quick succession and were 9/3.

However, a 41-ball 73 from Dwayne Smith took the Lions to a par total of 158 in their 20 overs.

In reply, RCB were off to a much disastrous start as they were 29/5 thanks to Dhawal Kulkarni who got the big wickets of Chris Gayle and Virat Kohli.

At this stage, AB de Villiers was on the crease alongside Stuart Binny. The pair added 39 runs before Binny perished.

Iqbal Abdullah joined ABD at the crease. De Villers was batting well and soon, Abdullah joined the party by playing some fine shots. The pair brought the momentum back for RCB and the match was slipping away from the Lions.

De Villiers was on a rampage and went on to score 79 from 47 deliveries as RCB won the match with two overs to spare.

The Royal Challengers were thus through to the final and De Villiers was undoubtedly declared the Man of the Match.