Royal Challengers Bangalore v Sunrisers Hyderabad: AB De Villiers gives RCB pep talk

AB de Villiers asked his Royal Challengers Bangalore teammates to ‘look into the mirror’ and find a way to improve their game in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2017, if they are to recover from a humiliating loss against Kolkata Knight Riders

AB de Villiers has sent out a strong message to his Royal Challengers Bangalore teammates following their humiliating loss to Kolkata Knight Riders in an Indian Premier League (IPL) 2017 match on Sunday. As RCB gear up to face defending champions Sunrisers Hyderabad later on Tuesday evening, the former South Africa skipper said it is difficult to express in words the embarrassing loss to Kolkata Knight Riders. (IPL full coverage)

Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers both failed to perform well for Royal Challengers Bangalore against Kolkata Knight Riders in an Indian Premier League (IPL) 2017 match. RCB play Sunrisers Hyderabad on Tuesday (AFP)

Virat Kohli’s Royal Challengers Bangalore were set a modest target of 132 by the home team at the Eden Gardens. Royal Challengers Bangalore were bundled out for a paltry 49, falling short by 82 runs. They lasted less than 10 overs and none of their batsman touched double figures.

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Skipper Virat Kohli himself went for a first-ball duck and AB de Villiers managed just eight runs in five balls. It happened to be the lowest team total in Indian Premier League’s 10-year history.

“It’s difficult to find words after that embarrassing performance at Kolkata last night,” De Villiers said in the video. ”But the fact of the matter is it’s done and dusted, it’s something of the past and there’s nothing we can do now to change that performance” he added.

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The Royal Challengers batting star then went on to stress that all team members needed to focus on two main objectives if they wanted to comeback in the tournament.

“Each and every player has to look at themselves in the mirror and find a way to become better for the rest of the tournament, find a way to up his game,” he said. Royal Challengers Bangalore are currently at the bottom of the IPL standings with just two wins in seven matches.

“There are seven games left for the rest of the tournament and every single game is an opportunity, to find a spot and to get the momentum running. Tomorrow (Tuesday) is another opportunity against the Sunrisers. We need to find a way to let that spark,” he said.

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“I know we can do it and I truly believe in my heart we’ve what It takes to turn it around again, I hope you believe it too,” the batsman added.

Royal Challengers Bangalore were in a similar situation at halfway stage last year from where they made a turnaround to win six of the remaining seven games to eventually finish runners-up.