IPL 2017, RCB vs GL: 5 things that went wrong for Royal Challengers Bangalore

#3 AB de Villiers’ persistent struggles with form

ABD has been struggling with the bat in the tournament so far

AB de Villiers missed the first few matches of the tournament due to injury but came back well in the third match by scoring a 46-ball 89 against Kings XI Punjab. However, since that knock, the South African seems to have lost his groove as he scored 19, 29, and 8 in the next three matches.

Against Gujarat Lions, de Villiers was visibly struggling against the bowlers and never looked to get going as the likes of Ravindra Jadeja and Ankit Soni were able to contain him well. The South African skipper eventually perished for just 5 from 11 deliveries.

In the last four matches, de Villiers has managed to score only 61 runs at an average of 15.25 and a meagre strike rate of 89.71. Provided de Villiers’ form persists, then not only will he affect RCB’s chances at the IPL but will also affect South Africa’s chances at the Champions Trophy beginning in a month’s time.