AB de Villiers, whose full name is Abraham Benjamin de Villiers, is a former South African cricketer. Born on February 17, 1984, in Pretoria, South Africa, he is widely regarded as one of the most talented and versatile batsmen in the history of the sport.
- International Career:
- AB de Villiers made his international debut for South Africa in December 2004 in a Test match against England.
- He played in all three formats of the game—Test, One Day International (ODI), and Twenty20 International (T20I).
- De Villiers is known for his aggressive and innovative batting style, and he has been a consistent performer across all formats.
- Batting Style:
- AB de Villiers was known for his versatility as a batsman. He could play shots all around the ground and was particularly effective in both classical and unorthodox strokes.
- His ability to play innovative shots, especially in limited-overs cricket, earned him the nickname “Mr. 360” due to his ability to hit the ball to all parts of the field.
- Captaincy:
- AB de Villiers captained the South African cricket team in all three formats. However, in 2017, he stepped down from the captaincy, citing workload and a desire to focus on his batting.
- Records and Achievements:
- De Villiers holds several records in international cricket, including the fastest ODI century (off 31 balls against the West Indies in 2015).
- He is the only cricketer to have scored a Test century and taken a 5-wicket haul in the same innings twice.
- IPL (Indian Premier League):
- AB de Villiers has been a key player in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He played for the Delhi Daredevils and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).
- Known for his explosive performances, he has been a fan favorite in the IPL.
- Retirement:
- AB de Villiers announced his retirement from all forms of international cricket in May 2018. His decision surprised many fans, as he was still considered one of the best batsmen in the world at the time.
- Post-Retirement:
- After his international retirement, AB de Villiers continued to play in T20 leagues around the world, including the IPL.
As of my last update, he remained active in T20 cricket, participating in various leagues.
AB de Villiers played for the Delhi Daredevils (now known as Delhi Capitals) in the early seasons of the IPL and then moved to the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), where he became an integral part of the team. His explosive batting and ability to play unconventional shots made him one of the most entertaining and impactful players in the IPL.
IPL Career (2008-2021):
- Matches: 169
- Runs: 5,317
- Highest Score: 133*
- Batting Average: 39.95
- Strike Rate: 151.91
- Centuries: 3
- Half-Centuries: 40
Test Matches:
- Matches: 114
- Runs: 8,765
- Highest Score: 278*
- Batting Average: 50.66
- Centuries: 22
- Half-Centuries: 46
One Day Internationals (ODIs):
- Matches: 228
- Runs: 9,577
- Highest Score: 176
- Batting Average: 53.50
- Centuries: 25
- Half-Centuries: 53
Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is):
- Matches: 78
- Runs: 1,672
- Highest Score: 79*
- Batting Average: 26.12
- Centuries: 0
- Half-Centuries: 10
Post-Retirement Thrills:
Fast forward to post-retirement—did you think de Villiers was done? Think again. He graced T20 leagues around the world, including the IPL. The man retired from international cricket, but his bat remained rebellious, refusing to acknowledge the limitations of time.
As we toast to the 1-year retirement anniversary of AB de Villiers, let’s not just reflect on numbers and records. Let’s savor the spice he added to the game—the audacious shots, the leadership finesse, and the sheer joy of watching a cricketing genius at play. Happy Retirement Anniversary, AB de Villiers—here’s to the man who turned cricket into a spicy, unforgettable saga!
Team XOXO.