IPL 2016: 5 memorable matches from RCB's run to the final that don't fade away

#5 Qualifier 1: Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Gujarat Lions

AB de Villiers helped his side book a place in the finals with a match winning knock of 73*

Having been put to bat, Gujarat Lions' top order fell like a pack of cards as they saw themselves reeling at 9/3 after less than 4 overs. However, Dinesh Karthik and Dwayne Smith put an end to that by playing sensibly. The former scored 26 before perishing while the latter ploughed his way to 73 and helped his team cross the 150-mark.

29/5 and then 68/6 while chasing a score of 159 was always going to put dents of worry on the faces of fans. It was an almost impossible task. Chris Gayle had fallen. The might Kohli had gone, too. So had the swashbuckling all-rounder Shane Watson.

It all depended on one man: the Superman from South Africa, AB de Villiers.

And he didn’t disappoint. Playing with utmost cautiousness from the beginning, he steadied his team’s ship to the point where they could see the land of victory. The only problem? No-one stood by beside him.

However, as he sailed on, he found a helper in the form of Iqbal Abdulla, who, himself, played a glorious knock to help AB de Villiers win the game from the fangs of defeat.

The jubilation of the fans and the players showed how much this 4-wicket win meant to them and they will all be even more fired up in the final against Sunrisers Hyderabad.