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AB de Villiers
AB de Villiers showed the world he still has it. The 41-year-old South African legend rolled back...
AB de Villiers: A Cricket Legend’s Journey
AB de Villiers, born on February 17, 1984, in Warmbad (modern-day Bela-Bela), South Africa, is a former international cricketer widely regarded as one of the greatest batters of his generation. Known for his innovative and aggressive batting style, AB de Villiers redefined modern cricket. With over 8,000 runs in both Tests and ODIs, and several world records to his name, including the fastest ODI 50, 100, and 150, de Villiers left an indelible mark on the sport.
Early Life & Background
AB de Villiers grew up in a sports-loving family in South Africa. His father, Abraham B. de Villiers, was a doctor and a former rugby player, who encouraged his son to take up sports from a young age. AB’s childhood was marked by a relaxed and close-knit environment, where he developed his skills in cricket, alongside other sports like tennis and rugby. However, cricket eventually became his true passion.
He attended Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool in Pretoria, where he played alongside his close friend and future South African teammate, Faf du Plessis. During his early cricketing days, AB de Villiers’ performances were exceptional, earning him a place in the South African U-19 cricket team. His international career soon followed.
Career Highlights
International Career
Debut and Rise to Prominence
AB de Villiers made his Test debut for South Africa in 2004 at just 20 years old, against England in Port Elizabeth. Initially, he started his career as a wicket-keeper-batter but gradually became known for his exceptional batting. He made his ODI debut in 2005 and his T20I debut in 2006. Throughout his career, AB de Villiers became synonymous with the “360-degree” style of batting, known for his ability to play unconventional shots all over the ground.
Records and Achievements
De Villiers holds several cricketing records, including:
-
Fastest ODI 50 (16 balls)
-
Fastest ODI 100 (31 balls)
-
Fastest ODI 150 (62 balls)
He is one of the few players to average over 50 in both Test and ODI cricket, showcasing his consistency and skill in all formats.
| Format | Matches | Runs | Average | Hundreds | Best Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 114 | 8765 | 50.66 | 22 | 278* |
| ODI | 228 | 9577 | 53.50 | 25 | 176* |
Captaincy
De Villiers served as the captain of the South African national team in all formats. In 2011, he succeeded Graeme Smith as the ODI captain and later took over the Test captaincy in 2015. Under his leadership, South Africa achieved significant victories, including series wins against Australia and New Zealand. However, due to a series of injuries, he stepped down from the Test captaincy in 2016 and also relinquished his limited-overs captaincy in 2017.
2015 World Cup: A Stellar Performance
During the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup, de Villiers was one of the standout performers, scoring 482 runs at an average of 96.0, with a strike rate of 144.0. He was pivotal in guiding South Africa to the semi-finals, where they lost to New Zealand in a thrilling match. His explosive batting included a record-breaking knock of 162 runs off 66 balls against West Indies, helping South Africa post a total of 408.
IPL & Franchise Career
AB de Villiers’ IPL career began with Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) in the inaugural season of the Indian Premier League. He later moved to Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in 2011, where he became a fan favorite for his aggressive batting and match-winning performances. De Villiers has scored over 4000 runs in the IPL and is one of the most successful overseas players in the league’s history.
| IPL Team | Seasons Played | Matches | Runs | Average | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delhi Daredevils (RCB) | 2011–2021 | 156 | 4549 | 40.40 | 158.37 |
Franchise T20 Leagues
Apart from IPL, de Villiers has also played in various T20 leagues across the world, including:
-
Barbados Tridents (Caribbean Premier League)
-
Tshwane Spartans (Mzanzi Super League)
-
Rangpur Riders (Bangladesh Premier League)
-
Middlesex (T20 Blast)
-
Brisbane Heat (Big Bash League)
-
Lahore Qalandars (Pakistan Super League)
Retirement and Legacy
De Villiers announced his retirement from all forms of international cricket in May 2018, marking the end of an era for South African cricket. However, his legacy as one of the best batsmen of his generation remains intact. He was inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame in 2024, cementing his place among the cricketing legends.
Retirement from IPL
AB de Villiers retired from IPL following the 2021 season but was later inducted into the RCB Hall of Fame in 2022 for his outstanding contributions to the team. He announced that he would not return as a player but would continue to support RCB in other capacities.
Playing Style
De Villiers is often referred to as “Mr. 360” due to his ability to play shots all around the ground. His innovative batting style, which included reverse sweeps, scoops, and aerial drives, made him a nightmare for bowlers across the world. His acrobatic fielding also earned him the nickname “Superman” for his breathtaking catches and run-outs.
Personal Life
AB de Villiers is married to Danielle Swart, and the couple has three children. He is a devout Christian and attributes his approach to life and cricket to his faith. Aside from cricket, de Villiers is an accomplished guitarist and singer. In 2010, he released a pop album titled Maak Jou Drome Waar with South African singer Ampie du Preez. His autobiography, AB de Villiers – The Autobiography, was released in 2016.
AB de Villiers is a cricketing legend whose records and performances will be remembered for generations. His remarkable batting skills, leadership, and innovative approach to the game have earned him a special place in cricket history. Today, he continues to inspire young cricketers worldwide, even after his retirement from international cricket. With over 8,000 runs in both Tests and ODIs, multiple world records, and a legacy of being one of the most destructive and versatile batsmen of all time, AB de Villiers’ contribution to the sport is undeniable.
AB de Villiers: A Cricket Legend’s Journey
AB de Villiers, born on February 17, 1984, in Warmbad (modern-day Bela-Bela), South Africa, is a former international cricketer widely regarded as one of the greatest batters of his generation. Known for his innovative and aggressive batting style, AB de Villiers redefined modern cricket. With over 8,000 runs in both Tests and ODIs, and several world records to his name, including the fastest ODI 50, 100, and 150, de Villiers left an indelible mark on the sport.
Early Life & Background
AB de Villiers grew up in a sports-loving family in South Africa. His father, Abraham B. de Villiers, was a doctor and a former rugby player, who encouraged his son to take up sports from a young age. AB’s childhood was marked by a relaxed and close-knit environment, where he developed his skills in cricket, alongside other sports like tennis and rugby. However, cricket eventually became his true passion.
He attended Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool in Pretoria, where he played alongside his close friend and future South African teammate, Faf du Plessis. During his early cricketing days, AB de Villiers’ performances were exceptional, earning him a place in the South African U-19 cricket team. His international career soon followed.
Career Highlights
International Career
Debut and Rise to Prominence
AB de Villiers made his Test debut for South Africa in 2004 at just 20 years old, against England in Port Elizabeth. Initially, he started his career as a wicket-keeper-batter but gradually became known for his exceptional batting. He made his ODI debut in 2005 and his T20I debut in 2006. Throughout his career, AB de Villiers became synonymous with the “360-degree” style of batting, known for his ability to play unconventional shots all over the ground.
Records and Achievements
De Villiers holds several cricketing records, including:
-
Fastest ODI 50 (16 balls)
-
Fastest ODI 100 (31 balls)
-
Fastest ODI 150 (62 balls)
He is one of the few players to average over 50 in both Test and ODI cricket, showcasing his consistency and skill in all formats.
| Format | Matches | Runs | Average | Hundreds | Best Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 114 | 8765 | 50.66 | 22 | 278* |
| ODI | 228 | 9577 | 53.50 | 25 | 176* |
Captaincy
De Villiers served as the captain of the South African national team in all formats. In 2011, he succeeded Graeme Smith as the ODI captain and later took over the Test captaincy in 2015. Under his leadership, South Africa achieved significant victories, including series wins against Australia and New Zealand. However, due to a series of injuries, he stepped down from the Test captaincy in 2016 and also relinquished his limited-overs captaincy in 2017.
2015 World Cup: A Stellar Performance
During the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup, de Villiers was one of the standout performers, scoring 482 runs at an average of 96.0, with a strike rate of 144.0. He was pivotal in guiding South Africa to the semi-finals, where they lost to New Zealand in a thrilling match. His explosive batting included a record-breaking knock of 162 runs off 66 balls against West Indies, helping South Africa post a total of 408.
IPL & Franchise Career
AB de Villiers’ IPL career began with Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) in the inaugural season of the Indian Premier League. He later moved to Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in 2011, where he became a fan favorite for his aggressive batting and match-winning performances. De Villiers has scored over 4000 runs in the IPL and is one of the most successful overseas players in the league’s history.
| IPL Team | Seasons Played | Matches | Runs | Average | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delhi Daredevils (RCB) | 2011–2021 | 156 | 4549 | 40.40 | 158.37 |
Franchise T20 Leagues
Apart from IPL, de Villiers has also played in various T20 leagues across the world, including:
-
Barbados Tridents (Caribbean Premier League)
-
Tshwane Spartans (Mzanzi Super League)
-
Rangpur Riders (Bangladesh Premier League)
-
Middlesex (T20 Blast)
-
Brisbane Heat (Big Bash League)
-
Lahore Qalandars (Pakistan Super League)
Retirement and Legacy
De Villiers announced his retirement from all forms of international cricket in May 2018, marking the end of an era for South African cricket. However, his legacy as one of the best batsmen of his generation remains intact. He was inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame in 2024, cementing his place among the cricketing legends.
Retirement from IPL
AB de Villiers retired from IPL following the 2021 season but was later inducted into the RCB Hall of Fame in 2022 for his outstanding contributions to the team. He announced that he would not return as a player but would continue to support RCB in other capacities.
Playing Style
De Villiers is often referred to as “Mr. 360” due to his ability to play shots all around the ground. His innovative batting style, which included reverse sweeps, scoops, and aerial drives, made him a nightmare for bowlers across the world. His acrobatic fielding also earned him the nickname “Superman” for his breathtaking catches and run-outs.
Personal Life
AB de Villiers is married to Danielle Swart, and the couple has three children. He is a devout Christian and attributes his approach to life and cricket to his faith. Aside from cricket, de Villiers is an accomplished guitarist and singer. In 2010, he released a pop album titled Maak Jou Drome Waar with South African singer Ampie du Preez. His autobiography, AB de Villiers – The Autobiography, was released in 2016.
AB de Villiers is a cricketing legend whose records and performances will be remembered for generations. His remarkable batting skills, leadership, and innovative approach to the game have earned him a special place in cricket history. Today, he continues to inspire young cricketers worldwide, even after his retirement from international cricket. With over 8,000 runs in both Tests and ODIs, multiple world records, and a legacy of being one of the most destructive and versatile batsmen of all time, AB de Villiers’ contribution to the sport is undeniable.