'You're always tense in chase because you're not sure how many balls AB is going to get.'
Royal Challengers Bangalore skipper Virat Kohli called AB de Villiers the "most impactful player in IPL" after the South African blasted a 22-ball 55 to set up an incredible victory over Rajasthan Royals, in Dubai, on Saturday.
Chasing 178, De Villiers smashed six sixes to help Royal Challengers win the game after all seemed lost for them following the dismissal of Kohli (43) in the 14th over.
"AB is always been someone who's been ready to look at the situation and adapt his game accordingly. In my eyes he's the most impactful player in the IPL," Kohli said, during the post-match presentation ceremony.
"If he goes, the opposition knows they have a slim chance and there's a good reason for that. It's purely because of the presence of someone like him that teams feel we are never out of the game.
"To be honest, you're always tense in chase because you're not sure how many balls AB is going to get. Credit to Gurkeerat (Singh Maan) as well; he stuck with AB, got that important boundary. It doesn't matter who the bowler is, he does what he does."
The seven-wicket victory took Royal Challengers to 12 points – the same as table-toppers Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals.
"The individuals are stepping up and we've been done that all through the tournament, which is why we have 12 points. Very happy right now because after this we get three days off," Kohli said.
Talking about his team, the India skipper said: "Our game pattern is very clear. Young Dev (Devdutt Padikkal) has batted beautifully, Finchy (Aaron Finch) has played some impact innings. We understand the dynamics and we're sticking to our plans. The bowling has really stepped up this season.
"(Chris) Morris has been brilliant, just that energy he brings. (Navdeep) Saini, Washy (Washington Sundar) and Isuru (Udana) as well, the bowling has come together well."
De Villiers, who was adjudged Man of the Match for his blistering knock, said he was nervous in the 19th over as he had to hit those big sixes to get his team home.
"I didn't hit even one of them (sixes) off the middle. When Unadkat was bowling, I was looking leg side but, to be honest, I was nervous because I knew I had to hit it well. Luckily, I got a few away."
With four fifties, including a 33-ball 73 against Kolkata Knight Riders, the former South African skipper is in rampaging form this IPL.
"I'm very, very nervous and erratic (in chase) and I get very stressed like any player. I want to perform for the team and show the owners I'm here for a good reason. And family, fans, and also for myself.
"Last game I didn't perform my role as well as I should have, but this time I did. It's a cat and mouse game; I always respect the bowlers. If they bowl well to me, they'll have the upper hand."
Rajasthan Royals captain Steve Smith was crestfallen after yet another defeat, their sixth in nine games.
"Sure, it is a hard pill to swallow. Just got AB'd there. That's two in a row; we were in the box seat to win but didn't. Disappointing," he said.
"I think it was a good score on a slow wicket. I thought we built the pressure pretty well and it took a pretty special innings to take RCB home."
Smith's decision to bowl Jaydev Unadkad in the penultimate over backfired as he was taken to the cleaners by de Villiers, who smashed three successive sixes to swing the match.
"We wanted to use Jaydev to the bigger boundary; he bowls a lot of slower stuff into the wicket. Obviously, boundary not big enough for AB."
Morris, who was the pick of the RCB bowlers with four wickets for 26 runs, said watching de Villiers "still blows my mind how AB is so calm and hits it so far”.
"... I said to a few of the Rajasthan boys, I know you lost but sometimes it doesn't matter which side you're on, you can only go wow."
