RCB's AB de Villiers suffers injury days before IPL

Photo: BCCI New Delhi: The injury list of Royal Challengers Bangalore is turning out be a never ending one. In what could turn out to be the biggest setback for the previous year’s runner-ups, AB de Villiers has suffered a back injury just days before the IPL. The news came in hours after it was confirmed that the South African powerhouse will lead RCB in the absence of regular captain Virat Kohli, who his himself  unavailable for the initial stages of the tournament due to a shoulder injury. The back injury forced De Villiers to sit out of the final of Momentum Cup, the domestic One Day tournament of Cricket South Africa. His name was removed at the last moment from the Titans playing XI.

About to get underway in Centurion. The big team news from either team is that AB de Villiers misses out due to a back injury #MODC pic.twitter.com/XoUaWCvhrg

— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) March 31, 2017

If De Villiers fails to recover in time before IPL, which is slated to begin from April 5, then RCB will be left with no option but to name Chris Gayle or Shane Watson as the leader of the side. The Bangalore based franchise has already received a setback in the form KL Rahul, who will not be a part of IPL due to a long sustained shoulder injury. The wicket-keeper cum opening batsman will undergo surgery in London. RCB will play the tournament opener against defending champions Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 5.