'What was that?': Cricket world erupts over impossible AB de Villiers six
AB De Villiers and Marcus Stoinis have combined to help Royal Challengers Bangalore to a 17-run victory over Kings XI Punjab in the IPL.
RCB, who are skippered by Virat Kohli, have struggled this season despite boasting a star-studded roster and started the day at the foot of the table.
That poor run looked set to continue when Akshdeep Nath was dismissed for three, to reduce the home side to 4-81 after nine overs.
But Stoinis, who will form part of Australia’s World Cup squad next month, came to the crease to join De Villiers and the pair put on an unbroken stand of 121.
De Villiers was at his big-hitting best, smashing seven sixes and three fours with Stoinis hitting 46 from 34 balls, helping their side post an imposing total of 4-202.
One six from De Villiers left the cricket world in shock.
The South African star somehow managed to blast a Mohammad Shami full-toss onto the roof of the stadium, narrowly avoiding being smashed in the face by it.
He ended up turning his head and taking one hand off the bat as he deposited the ball into orbit.
The insane shot left many wondering how he’d even done it.
One handed look away six by AB de Villiers.
The BBL needs this man …
— Peter Lalor (@plalor) April 24, 2019
Stop what you're doing.
AB de Villiers has just hit a cricket ball out of the stadium without even looking at it.pic.twitter.com/ZnaA89wNYu
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) April 24, 2019
AB de Villiers sent a ball to the Chinnaswamy roof when he was trying to save himself from being hit. #IPL2019
— Shubh AggarWall (@shubh_chintak) April 24, 2019
That AB de Villiers six off a no ball is absolutely insane! This man is the biggest self-inflicted loss to international cricket that we can remember! #RCBvsKXIP #IPL2019
— OnlineCricketBetting (@CricketBettings) April 24, 2019
AB De Villiers…. now you sir, are a JOKE! 😳😳👏🏼👏🏼
— Ben Duckett (@BenDuckett1) April 24, 2019
AB De Villiers just ducked but smoked Shami for a top tier SIX 🔥🔥🔥 #RCBvKXIP
— Tomás (@TallTooro_) April 24, 2019
Wtf was that de Villiers, this man is insane
— Maheshmello (@cheeku_243) April 24, 2019
Still don’t know how de Villiers did this 🤞🏼
— Ollie (@ThabsOliphant42) April 24, 2019
AB De Villiers has just hit a 95 metre, out of the ground, one handed, no look six in an actual real life IPL game and I have no idea how to deal with it
— Cam (@Cambo1508) April 24, 2019
Still wondering how AB De Villiers hit that ball out of the stadium without even looking and in one hand. After all, he's known for doing astonishing things in cricket! You should not have retired from international cricket, AB! 😭 #RCBvKXIP
— George AB Addict (@VijayIsMyLife) April 24, 2019
Chris Gayle came racing out of the blocks for the Kings XI, blasting 23 from 10 deliveries before being caught by De Villiers off Umesh Yadav.
Stoinis then dismissed a well set Mayank Agarwal for 35 with Yuzvendra Chahal taking a smart catch.
David Miller (25), KL Rahul (42) and Nicholas Pooran (46) all got starts but were unable to stick around until the latter overs as the visitors finished at 7-187 to hand RCB a fourth win of the season.
The victory also sent Steve Smith’s Rajasthan Royals to the foot of the table.
with AAP
