Chapter 117

In the scorching heat of an Indian summer, on a pitch that promised runs but demanded skill, AB de Villiers walked out to bat for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) against the mighty Mumbai Indians (MI). It was a typical evening in the Indian Premier League, a tournament known for its intensity and nail-biting matches. But what unfolded that night was far beyond the realms of the ordinary; it was an innings etched into the annals of cricketing legendry.

The date was May 10, 2015. The setting was the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, a venue that had witnessed historic battles and remarkable performances. RCB had won the toss and chosen to bat first, a decision that would set the stage for one of the most memorable innings in the history of the IPL.

The innings began unassumingly enough. De Villiers took his time to settle in, assessing the pitch, the bowlers, and the field placements. But as the first few balls met the middle of his bat, it became evident that something extraordinary was on the horizon.

Facing a formidable MI bowling attack, de Villiers started cautiously, respecting the good deliveries and punishing the loose ones. But it was in the 12th over, with RCB at a decent but not exceptional 98/2, that the innings took a breathtaking turn.

The bowler was Harbhajan Singh, a seasoned campaigner with numerous scalps under his belt. De Villiers, however, had other plans. In a display of audacious strokeplay, he took on Harbhajan, launching him into the stands for three consecutive sixes. The Wankhede crowd, often known for its fervent support for MI, found itself in a peculiar situation – applauding the sheer brilliance of an opposition player.

But de Villiers was far from done. With each passing over, he seemed to enter a trance-like state, where the bowlers' deliveries became opportunities rather than threats. Every corner of the ground seemed to be within his hitting range. The crowd, initially stunned into silence, found its voice again, this time in collective awe of the batting masterclass unfolding before their eyes.

As the overs progressed, de Villiers' shots became more inventive and audacious. He played the reverse sweep with the finesse of a top-order batsman, heaved the ball over mid-wicket with raw power, and delicately guided it past the short fine leg fielder. His ability to find gaps that seemed non-existent left the MI bowlers, and indeed the cricketing world, in utter disbelief.

The MI bowlers, no novices themselves, were left scratching their heads. Lasith Malinga, perhaps the best death bowler in the history of T20 cricket, was treated with utter disdain. Each attempted yorker was met with a thunderous response. The ball that once swung ominously at the death was now being dispatched to the boundaries with a calm authority.

De Villiers' partner at the other end, Virat Kohli, himself one of the modern-day greats, stood and watched, his eyes widening with each astonishing shot. The duo had stitched together a partnership that was not just a testament to their individual brilliance but also a lesson in partnership building in T20 cricket.

The Wankhede, a stadium known for its deafening roars in support of MI, was now reverberating with chants of "ABD! ABD!" The crowd had transcended the boundaries of regional loyalty; they were witnessing a batsman at the peak of his powers, and their appreciation knew no bounds.

As the innings reached its crescendo, de Villiers brought up his century in the most fitting manner – with a massive six. His century came off just 47 balls, an innings studded with 12 fours and 8 sixes. But de Villiers was not finished. He continued his onslaught, finishing unbeaten on 133 off 59 balls, an innings that had altered the course of the match and etched his name in the IPL folklore.

RCB, propelled by de Villiers' heroics, posted a daunting total of 235/1 in their 20 overs. It was a score that proved insurmountable for MI, who despite their best efforts, fell short by 39 runs. De Villiers' innings had not just been about runs; it had been about rewriting the narrative of what was possible in the shortest format of the game.

As the cricketing fraternity and fans around the world applauded the genius of AB de Villiers, the man himself remained characteristically humble. In post-match interviews, he credited his teammates, the support staff, and even the opposition for the entertainment provided. But everyone who had witnessed that innings knew the truth – they had been part of something extraordinary, something that would be remembered for generations as the night when AB de Villiers redefined the art of T20 batting.