IPL: 5 best purchases by Royal Challengers Bangalore over the years

2. AB de Villiers

Known for his 360-degree batting and great adaptability, AB de Villiers will undoubtedly go down as one of the best batsmen to have played the IPL. He has the ability of winning matches for the team single-handedly.

De Villiers was bought for US$1.5 million in 2011, and has represented the team in 113 matches scoring close to 3300 runs at an astounding strike rate of 150+.

Along with the conventional drives and cuts, De Villiers can surprise you with his innovative shot-making. Nobody will ever forget the assault on Dale Steyn in 2012, when the legendary South African pacer was treated like a second division bowler as he conceded 23 runs in a single over.

If De Villiers gets going, there is no bowler that can stop him. He has been the best finisher for the RCB team, scoring two centuries and 25 fifties with five 100+ partnerships and two 200+ partnerships (both with Virat Kohli).

The 2016 season was his best performance where he accumulated 687 runs at an unbelievable strike rate of 174. He was the second player to be retained by RCB in the 2018 IPL auction.