RCB heavyweight AB De Villiers finding it difficult to adjust in UAE heat

Dubai:South African cricketer AB de Villiers believes that adjusting to the hot and humid conditions of the UAE will be the biggest challenge for all teams in the IPL 2020, starting September 19.

Most of the IPL matches will be played in the night but the conditions would still be challenging for the players. The hot weather of UAE reminded De Villiers of a test match in Chennai in which Virender Sehwag hit a triple century against South Africa. 

''I am not really used to these kind of conditions to be honest. It' very hot, it reminds me of a Test match we played in July in Chennai once where Viru (Virender Sehwag) scored 300. It was one the hottest weather conditions I have experience in my life,'' the batsman said in an interview posted on RCB's twitter handle.

''The humidity is similar to that, even at 10 at night. When I arrived here I checked the weather conditions of a few months and it seems to be getting better. It is definitely going to play a part and you have to make sure you have the energy for the backend of the innings or last 5 overs of your bowling spell,'' he added.

Due to the raging COVID-19 pandemic situation in India, IPL 2020 will be played entirely in UAE behind the closed doors. Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah will be the three venues used for the tournament. 

The 36-year-old star cricketer said that he would also miss playing in front of packed crowds in India.''I think obviously all are are used to playing in front of crowds in big stage, there is certainly an amount of adrenaline that pumped into you when it gets really loud, especially in Chinnaswany when the RCB crowd gets going, its difficult to stop the RCB team. So, well miss that there is no doubt about it.

''But I won't say I am not used to it, I have played a lot of cricket in empty stadiums. I grew up like that. It's only in my international career that I have played in front of crowd,'' he said.

Virat Kohli-led RCB will open their IPL campaign against Sunrisers Hyderabad on September 21 in Dubai.(UNI)