AB de Villiers is an integral part of the Royal Challengers Bangalore camp. The franchise has had a tough time in the 12th edition of the IPL so far. They have lost 7 games and won just one so far. The Virat Kohli-led side finds itself at the bottom of the points table. To make things worse, AB de Villiers doesn’t feature in the crucial game against Kolkata Knight Riders. Let’s find out the reason why AB de Villiers is not playing against KKR.
why AB de Villiers is not playing
The South African was hit on the helmet by a bouncer from Jasprit Bumrah in the last game against Mumbai Indians. He didn’t take the field after the blow. Two days later, he did not travel with the team to the Eden Gardens, Kolkata.
He has a mild concussion after the hit and the franchise has opted not to risk him. So, the right-hander misses out on the KKR game. Virat Kohli, at the toss, mentioned the team didn’t want to take a risk and decided to give him a break.
To replace AB de Villiers, Heinrich Klaasen has been roped in. The wicketkeeper-batsman makes his debut for RCB. “AB is not well and we don’t want to risk him. Klaasen comes in for him,” said Kohli at the toss at the Eden Gardens.
Dale Steyn makes a comeback to RCB
The Bangalore-based franchise is in a desperate situation right now. They need to win almost every game to stand a chance for a playoff spot. With de Villiers’s injury, it seems even more difficult. However, the good news for RCB is that Dale Steyn has been slotted into the playing XI.
He had represented RCB in the initial years of the league. After 9 years, he makes a comeback to the same franchise. The South African speedster has been in a decent form in international cricket after his recovery from the injury. He could well prove to be the boost that the team needs in an underperforming bowling line-up.
