IPL 2017: RCB vs KXIP, SK Play of the Match, AB de Villiers smokes Mohit Sharma over the cover region

AB de Villiers returned from a minor injury hiatus to play a typically sensational knock to help Royal Challengers Bangalore recover from a major slump. The Superman slammed some outrageous sixes in his 46-ball-89. One of them, an eye-catching six off Mohit Sharma over the cover region is the SK Play of the Match for the sheer balance of the shot.

Watch the shot here.

This wow moment came in the final over when Mohit Sharma delivered one of his back of the hand slower balls wide of off-stump. De Villiers moved way outside leg stump to make room and looked like he would struggle to reach the ball. But the South African stretched and balanced brilliantly while smacking the ball through extra cover. The ball sailed over the fence, stunning Punjab players and Indore fans alike.

De Villiers was in the zone, strolling along at a leisurely pace, watching his teammates struggle to score. He was on 38 off 30 balls at the end of the 16th over before he slammed two sixes in the following over from all-rounder, Marcus Stoinis. The second of those led him past his half-century.

A smacking flat six off Mohit Sharma through cow corner followed in the next over. He then took on the best bowler of the day, Sandeep Sharma, for a four, six and another four. RCB were in huge trouble after having lost their top three for 22. However, de Villiers and Mandeep strung together a 46 run stand although it took a considerable amount of balls. By the time Binny joined de Villiers, the South African was in his groove.

The dramatic last over

Maxwell had an option to bowl Stoinis or Mohit Sharma in the last over and opted for the latter. A wily exponent of the slower ball, Mohit kept de Villiers and Binny unusually silent for the first four balls that yielded just two runs.

Then came the sensational extra cover six that had everyone in a daze. The unbelievable balance while playing the shot made it a special effort from the RCB stalwart. Another six off the last ball followed, this one sailing out of the stadium after de Villiers crouched low and slogged over deep mid-wicket.

The fifth wicket unbeaten partnership of 80 was dominated by some power hitting from the South African who showed the Kings XI bowlers no mercy. Unfortunately, none of the other RCB batsmen were wise enough to take singles early in the over to get him on strike.

Reactions

ABD ABD ABD...!!! If I was a commentator I'd do a mic drop and enjoy the show ... No words can describe @ABdeVilliers17....wow!!

— Morne Morkel (@mornemorkel65) April 10, 2017

Boooooom seriously amazing striking @ABdeVilliers17 best in the business

— David Warner (@davidwarner31) April 10, 2017

Mr 360 is back ! Genius @ABdeVilliers17

— yuvraj singh (@YUVSTRONG12) April 10, 2017

What a freak @ABdeVilliers17 love watching him bat. Game on now! Can @RCBTweets defend 148?

— Michael Clarke (@MClarke23) April 10, 2017