‘It’s like ABD never left’: Faf du Plessis pulls of an AB de Villiers in RCB colours

Newly-appointed Royal Challengers Bangalore skipper Faf du Plessis pummeled the Punjab Kings attack to submission as his 88 steered his team to 205 for 2 in their IPL game on Sunday. While Du Plessis showed his six-hitting prowess, hammering seven maximums in his 57-ball knock, Virat Kohli, who had stepped down as skipper, also chipped in with an unbeaten 41 off 29 balls. Wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik joined the part late in the innings with a quick fire 32 not out off just 14 balls.
Du Plessis, who also struck three fours, added 118 runs for the second wicket with former RCB skipper Virat Kohli after Anuj Rawat (21) had laid the foundation with their 50 run-stand.

You do not want to miss this @RCBTweets fans 😉😉
FAF pulls off an ABD in #RCB colours 😉
Watch ▶️ https://t.co/M4eg57WM6a #TATAIPL #PBKSvRCB pic.twitter.com/iF73raQIBE
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) March 27, 2022
The former South Africa skipper, who got a life, made optimum use of it and then upped the ante, as the carnage started from the 12th over when he hammered a towering six off Liam Livingstone.
Du Plessis was brutal on Odean Smith, whom he hammered for a boundary and two successive sixes. He followed it up with two sixes off Harpreet Brar (0/38).

Innings Break!@RCBTweets have breached the 200-run mark in their first game itself this season and posted a solid 205-2.
Can the #PBKS chase this?
Scorecard –https://t.co/LiRFG8lgc7 #PBKSvRCB #TATAIPL #IPL2022 pic.twitter.com/mjnreXyDvt
— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) March 27, 2022
Giving him good company was Kohli, who hit a four and two sixes, was also in his elements, as he played shots at will. He, however, played second fiddle to Du Plessis when the South African was in full flow.
Du Plessis was dismissed in the 18th over, but then the damage had been done.

#FafDuPlessis
The batting style of Faf du Plessis is like a iron warrior 🤺 https://t.co/sBFTrPtAWQ pic.twitter.com/4R035SC8iI
— Mukesh Mry (@mukesh_0019) March 27, 2022
A quick-fire 32 from Karthik off just 14 balls, in which he smashed three sixes and as many fours, took RCB beyond the 200-run mark.