'I surprised myself': de Villiers

South African superstar AB de Villiers has admitted he surprised even himself with his stunning knock for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League on Monday night.

De Villiers had missed RCB’s opening two matches due to a back injury, but showed no signs of rustiness when he launched an assault on the Kings XI Punjab bowling attack, blasting 89 not out from just 46 deliveries.

He contributed more than 60 per cent of Royal Challengers’ total of 148, hitting nine sixes including two high and onto the roof of Holkar Cricket Stadium.

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"I did surprise myself and played a few good shots," de Villiers said while mic’d up in the field during the Kings XI innings.

"It’s more of a mental thing than anything else.

"It’s not like you become a bad player overnight, the rustiness is more self-doubt.

"(That self-doubt) was there the last few days, I must admit."

Image Id: 91EB1833918F487A9A8EA5889AF67607 Image Caption: AB plundered nine sixes // BCCI

Asked by IPL commentator Mel Jones to elaborate on how he handled the dip in confidence, de Villiers explained: “I phoned my wife, telling her that I was doubting myself a bit.

"She backed me, (told me) to stay calm. She’s on her way here and arriving tomorrow, so I think that was my inspiration.

He then added with a laugh: "I’m getting cheesy now on air!"

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All five of de Villiers’ sixes came in the final five overs of the innings, with the shot he hit off Sandeep Sharma in the 19th over so large, commentator Michael Clarke declared "you should get 10 for that".

De Villiers’ heroics sparked a wave of praise on social media from past and present players.

De Villiers’ efforts weren’t enough to lift RCB to their second win of the IPL season, however, with fellow South African Hashim Amla’s 58no and Glenn Maxwell’s unbeaten 43 helping the Kings XI to victory in 14.3 overs.

The Royal Challengers bowlers’ struggled to defend the total, with skipper Shane Watson conceding 28 from two overs with the ball, while RCB's Aussie quick Billy Stanlake conceded 41 from four overs.

While it was a tough night for Queensland’s Stanlake, who also dropped a simple catch on the fine-leg boundary, he took 2-29 in his IPL debut against Delhi Daredevils and de Villiers has been impressed by what he’s seen so far from the 22-year-old, comparing him to Proteas paceman Morne Morkel.

"He’s someone I’m definitely not going to face in the nets this year, that’s for sure," he said.

"He’s very similar to Morne Morkel. I’m also not fond of facing him in the nets."