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Former India opener Sunil Gavaskar criticised Royal Challengers Bangalore's think tank for brining star batter AB de Villiers at number six position. Gavaskar reckoned that de Villiers should ideally at number 4 but in any conditions should not bat at lower than number 5.
The former India captain had made the remark before Bangalore's last league match against Delhi Capitals and as if almost on cue, De Villiers was promoted to the said position in this match.
While Bangalore had failed to finish the recent match against SunRisers Hyderabad as Mr 360 got to face only 13 balls batting at number 6, de Villiers looked good during his stint at the wicket in the match against Delhi Capitals which they sealed in the end with the help of a KS Bharat last-ball six.
ABD is such a wonderful player: Gavaskar
"He is so beautiful to watch. He is such a wonderful player. Such an innovative player, Mr. 360. You have someone like a Srikar Bharat batting at No. 3 or four. Come on. I mean, big respect to him; he is a promising young cricketer but this is his first big time. And he obviously has not gotten into the flow of things," Gavaskar had said prior to the Delhi match on Star Sports.
"How can you have AB de Villiers batting at No. 6. He has to bat four, or he has to bat 5. Ideally at 4. Maxwell should be at 3. After that, everyone else comes in is what I feel," he added.
However, Bharat's match-winning innings of 78 from 52 could have sealed the number 3 position for the wicketkeeper batter in the Eliminator against Kolkata Knight Riders on Monday.
Setback for Kolkata and Bangalore ahead of eliminator
Ahead of the eliminator though, both the participating teams have been handed a bit of a setback as they are likely to be without a few of their players. While Kolkata are set to be without Shakib Al Hasan as the Bangladesh Cricket Board has called him to join the national squad ahead of the T20 World Cup, Bangalore will also reportedly be without the services of the Sri Lankan duo of Wanindu Hasaranga and Dushmantha Chameera who are also set to join their national team.
Both Bangladesh and Sri Lanka will have to play warm-up matches before participating in the Round 1 matches beginning on October 17.