New Delhi: AB de Villiers has been the heartbeat of cricket fans regardless of the region they represent. The former South African international cricketer was born on February 17, 1984, in Pretoria. On Monday, the Mr 360 has turned 41 and the birthday wishes have already been showered across social media platforms since the mid-night.
Flamboyance can be the word to describe the career of AB de Villiers. A man who can never be associated with any particular format but adapted and excelled in each one where he put on his foot. He was innovative with his game throughout his career with his audacity to toy with the lines and lengths of the pacers and astute footwork against the spinners. No wonder why the South African middle order batter was considered to be a key wicket for the opposition bowling unit.
With 19864 runs scored in 479 innings across all formats of international cricket at an average of 48.33, laced with 108 fifties and 47 centuries, de Villiers was the second highest run-getter for South Africa after legendary all-rounder Jacques Kallis (25422).
Let’s take a quick look at some of the staggering knocks of AB de Villiers – the man, the myth, the legend.
1) 33 off 220 balls vs Australia, 2012 Adelaide Test
The impression of AB de Villiers displaying fireworks and carnage is considered a norm of his batting style. But then his art to succumb pressure and play gruelling knocks against the red ball, applying resistance and caution, often gets overshadowed by the explosive style.
The former South African skipper has hit 22 Test hundreds and 46 fifties in the five-day format. But that one knock which withstood the storm of the Australian juggernaut in Adelaide in 2012 can never be forgotten. The score of 33 runs from 220 balls might not sound illuminating. It was the valiant efforts which bailed the Saffers out from a heavy defeat.
Being asked to chase 430, de Villiers and Faf du Plessis (110*) averted the threat posed by Ben Hilfenhaus and Peter Siddle. South Africa finished the innings at 248 for 8 to enforce a draw at the Adelaide Oval. The Proteas went on to win the third Test in Perth by 309 runs to clinch the series by a narrow 1-0 margin.
2) 149 vs West Indies, 2015 Johannesburg ODI
The New Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg witnessed a frenzied atmosphere on January 18, 2015. The then South African skipper AB de Villiers had promoted himself to bat at No.3 in a bid to amp the innings following the remarkable start provided by the twin centuries by openers Hashim Amla (153) and Rilee Rossouw (128).
De Villiers smashed the fastest century in ODI cricket in just 31 balls. He hammered nine boundaries and 16 sixes to better Corey Anderson’s 36-ball ton record. The record is still named after him with no batter being able to challenge it thus far. The 149 off 44 balls from the captain helped the Proteas to post a mammoth score of 439 for 2 on the board and they eventually won by 148 runs.
3) 162* vs West Indies, 2015 Sydney ODI
There was a marginal gap of 40 days for the West Indies bowlers to forget the Johannesburg hammering. Little did they know that the AB storm was awaiting them in Sydney in the 2015 World Cup group fixture. The Proteas skipper went one notch up to register the fastest 150 (64 balls) in ODIs to his name. He wreaked havoc once again, belting 17 fours and eight sixes to propel his side to 408 for 5 in the first innings. He remained unbeaten on 162 off 66 balls.
4) 133* vs Mumbai Indians, 2015 Mumbai IPL match
AB de Villiers had a tremendous success against Mumbai Indians throughout his IPL career. Among the 5162 runs scored in 170 innings, the Mr 360 amassed 785 against Mumbai Indians in 24 innings at a strike rate of 148.11, which is the most for him against any particular opponent in the tournament.
Royal Challengers Bangalore (now Royal Challengers Bengaluru) lost the big wicket of Chris Gayle for 13 to ace Mumbai Indians bowler Lasith Malinga. AB de Villiers joined forces with captain Virat Kohli in the fourth over and took the mantle right from the word go. He smashed the likes of Malinga, Mitchell McClenaghan, Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, Harbhajan Singh and Jagadeesha Suchith.
It was one of the classiest knocks by a batter against one of the formidable bowling units in the IPL. AB remained unbeaten on 133 off 59 balls with his innings laced by 19 fours and four sixes. He powered RCB to 235 for 1 as they won the match by 39 runs.
5) 79 vs Gujarat Lions, 2016 IPL Qualifier 1 Bengaluru match
It was the Qualifier 1 match of the IPL 2016 season and RCB were reduced to 29 for 5 while chasing a moderate 159 against Suresh Raina’s Gujarat Lions. Thanks to a masterclass spell from Dhawal Kulkarni (4 for 14) to run through the RCB batting unit comprising Gayle, Kohli, KL Rahul, Sachin Baby and Shane Watson.
The task to resurrect the innings was left on AB de Villiers, and it was an arduous one by all means. The South African star batter didn’t shy away from the responsibility. He remained calm and took the attack against the opposition, targeting Praveen Kumar, Shadab Jakati and Ravindra Jadeja in particular while shrewdly dealing with the slower ones from Dwayne Bravo.
De Villiers remained not out on 79 to take RCB into the finals with a four-wicket win. He was supported by Iqbal Abdulla (33 off 25 balls). It remains to be one of the best comebacks in IPL history.
AB de Villiers, the legendary South African cricketer, turned 41 on Monday. Known as “Mr. 360” for his versatility across all formats, his career was marked by breathtaking innings. This article highlights five of his most memorable knocks in his illustrious career. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
