RPS v RCB Star Wars: Steve Smith v AB de Villiers

A 360-degree hitter against an inexhaustible run-getter in all formats. Steve Smith and AB de Villiers have both excelled in all formats for their respective national sides; in recent times, though, Smith has grabbed the limelight with his prolific run-making. He was the highest run-getter in the recent Test series in India, a feat that augments his credentials for the Indian Premier League (IPL) as he is fairly familiar and knows how to excel on Indian pitches.

The new captain of the Rising Pune Supergiant is - not surprisingly in keeping with his perennially hot form - the highest run-getter for his team this season so far. His potential was on view in the first match of Supergiant’s campaign, against Mumbai Indians, when he steered his team to victory via a clinical, match-winning knock of 84 not out. He goes into Saturday’s encounter with Royal Challengers Bangalore with another unbeaten half-century under his belt - an unbeaten 51 in a losing cause.

De Villiers, who, like Smith, is also a No. 3 for his team, has been unusually quiet this season with the bat. Aside from his unbeaten 89 against Kings XI Punjab, his form has been indifferent. While Smith will seek to continue his form to propel his team towards the No. 3 spot in the IPL points table, De Villiers will look to erase the poor run to lift his team from the second-from-bottom position it finds itself in after another tame loss this week, against Gujarat Lions.

Both Smith and de Villiers are foreign heavyweights for their respective sides.

Whose contribution will be match-winning on Saturday?