Game #4 – AB Magic

Game #4 and I was treated to some AB de Villiers magic. Having seen some of his exploits in recent months particularly against the West Indies and in the ICC World Cup I was struggling to find anyone else in world cricket I would choose first before him. Now having seen him live and in full flight he’s cemented his #1 batting pick in my book. Just amazed he’s not batting higher for RCB where he could really impact the innings total or chase.

Check out his 41 off just 11 deliveries – AB’s Game Changing Knock …almost.

So the wash up was the Mumbai Indians chalked up their first win in 5 games which gives Ricky Ponting’s boys a sniff of staying in the hunt for a finals birth.

The game had a little bit of everything. A sea of red from the 35,000 RCB fans both dressed in and waving red. I challenged Darren Sammy in the pre game interviews to not smile for 3 seconds – he failed miserably. Surely the happiest man in international cricket who replied so naturally to the question of where his enjoyment of the game comes from. “I get to play a game I love for my job, you can’t ask for more than that.”

Always nice to met and chat to young players coming through the ranks too and Unmukt Chand is one of those. 58 of 37 and a handy catch – keep an eye out for him.

Having put 209 on the board and facing a possible Chris Gayle onslaught Kieron Pollard started some banter with his West Indian team mate. The umpires stepped in and asked him to tone it down to which he took it one step further with a self imposed gagging. I don’t think Pollard was overly impressed with the toning it down request.

It’s never dull in the IPL.