IPL 2016: SEASON 9
It was AB de Villiers's day in Pune in the 16th match of the Indian Premier as he propelled his Virat Kohli-led team Royal Challengers Bangalore to a facile 13-run victory against Rising Pune Supergiants led by M.S. Dhoni. ABD took the RPS bowling by the scruff of the neck, slamming four sixes and six fours on his way to 83 off a mere 46 balls. Virat Kohli joined in the fun with his trademark batting, scoring 80 off 63 balls without ever looking like he would break a sweat. A total of 185 for 3 off their 20 overs was enough for the Royal Challengers Bangalore as the Rising Pune Supergiants always seemed to be behind in their chase, playing the catch-up game all the time before finally running out of steam at 172 for 8. For the Rising Pune Supergiants, Faf du Plessis, Kevin Pietersen and Steven Smith could not get off the blocks, KP retiring hurt. Ajinkya Rahane scored 60 and MS Dhoni 41 but they ate up too many overs, and though Thisara Perera blasted 34 off 13 balls, it was too much to expect one man to pull his team out of the rut. ABVilliers deservedly got the Man of the Match award.