AB de Villiers: A True 360-degree Player
AB de Villiers: The greatest cricketer of our time
Many cricketers have come and gone over the history of the game. However, we rarely see a cricketer like Abraham Benjamin de Villiers, a batsman with incredible daring and aggression. A cricketer with abundant skill and temperament can back it up at any cost. AB de Villiers is a South African cricketer, widely regarded as one of the best fielders in the game. A versatile player, he has often been shifted around the field to wherever his team needs him most. In addition to being a superb cricketer, de Villiers is also an excellent rugby player, tennis player, golfer, and singer. AB de Villiers has established himself as one of South Africa's all-time greats. AB De Villiers is a batsman who can hit any ball, anywhere, and against any bowler. Indeed, his range of inventive shots has expanded as his career has progressed. He is regarded as one of the best Test and ODI batters in the world, and he has a cult following in T20 cricket.
The debut of AB de Villiers
Abraham B de Villiers and Millie de Villiers gave birth to AB de Villiers on February 17, 1984, in Bela Bela, South Africa. His father was of massive assistance to him when it came to cricket. AB de Villiers was drafted into the U-19 team, and after a while, he made his international debut in South Africa's colors against England in December 2004. He also did well against Australia. Nevertheless, after a while, he went off the rails. In 2007-2008, he had a remarkable comeback, scoring 103 not out off 109 balls against the West Indies. Later that year, at Ahmedabad, India, with an unbeaten two hundred and seventeen, AB became the first SA player to achieve a two hundred against India. He struck 174 in Leeds, England, in SA's first series victory in England and 106* against Australia in the country's first series victory in Australia.
In the 2010 calendar year, he scored 996 runs. In Abu Dhabi, he struck 278* against Pakistan, the greatest individual score by a South African in Test cricket. Later, a triple century was scored by Hashim Amla. AB de Villiers also hit three consecutive ODI hundreds that year, two against India and one against the West Indies.
AB de is the true successor of Brian Lara. He received love wherever he went.
He was among the runners everywhere he played. The most iconic moment was when Indian fans started cheering for AB de in Mumbai, although he was playing against India and smashing the ball all over the stadium.
On June 6, 2011, South Africa's then-coach Gary confirmed that AB de Villiers would be the country's next limited-overs captain.
AB de Villiers led South Africa in two series at home against Australia and Sri Lanka during the 2011–12 summer. Later in the season, he scored a century of one hundred sixty, remaining not out in South Africa's third and final Test triumph. After scoring 353 runs at an average of 117.66, he was awarded Player of the Series. After being chosen captain, he led South Africa in their debut encounter. In his inaugural match as skipper on January 11, 2012, Sri Lanka suffered the heaviest defeat with a one hundred fifty-eight-run victory. It was also the most significant win (in terms of runs) in an ODI featuring two Test teams.
South Africa won the ODI series, and AB was named series player after scoring 329 runs at an average of one hundred nine, including one hundred twenty-five ( not out) in the last match at The Imperial Wanderers Stadium. On July 10, AB de was given a keeping task when Mark Boucher retired from sports the day before due to an eye injury sustained from a bail blow on July 9, 2012.
AB de Villiers at his peak
AB de Villiers is the creator of creativity in cricket. Before he came, we did not even know what the 360-degree term meant. He first introduced switch hits against fast bowlers. He could hit any ball anywhere, but AB de Villiers became the AB de when he moved to RCB (Royal Challengers Bangalore) and played some of the best innings in T20s. He is considered the favorite overseas player ever to come to Asia. He has the largest fanbase in Asian countries like Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan. AB de made people sit on the edge because no one knew what was coming next. AB de scored a hundred in 31 balls in Cape Town in 2015 against West Indies, and again he tore them apart in the 2015 world cup where he scored a hundred in 60 odd balls. He was toying with the bowlers on the world stage, although South Africa lost in the semi-final. The numbers and cups cannot define AB de Villiers. One of the most iconic moments was in 2014 when he took Dale Steyn for 23 runs.
Many legendary players applauded AB de Villiers because he played well, had innovative shots, and changed the game.
“AB de Villiers Changing The Rules Of The Game.”
“I Demand A DNA Test For AB de Villiers. This Game Is Only For Humans.”
AB de Villiers was the standout performer on the world stage in 2015. He made four hundred eighty-two runs at an average of ninety-six and had a strike rate of one hundred forty-four. AB smashed one hundred sixty-two runs off sixty-six balls in a group B game against the West Indies on February 27, 2015, at Sydney Cricket Ground, where he led South Africa to their second-highest World Cup score. With this ton, AB broke the One-Day International records for the quickest 50, 100, and 150. With AB de Villiers' guidance, South Africa got to the World Cup playoffs but was beaten by New Zealand. AB de Villiers finished the event as the 3rd-highest run-scorer, after only Martin Guptil and Kumar Sangakkara. He concluded the tournament by gaining the top position in the International Cricket Council (ICC) Men’s ODI Player Rankings and placing 3rd in the ICC Men’s Test Player Rankings. His name was also included in the International Cricket Council's “Team of the Championship” for the 2015 World Cup.
AB de Villiers retires from International Cricket.
In May 2018, AB announced his departure from world cricket. Before announcing his surprising farewell, he had performed in one hundred fourteen tests, two hundred twenty-eight ODIs, and seventy-eight T20Is. AB says he is tired and out of gas and announces his international retirement.
AB de Villiers: A true 360-degree player
AB de Villiers' sudden retirement announcement has broken many hearts, and it was an emotional moment for all cricket lovers. AB de Villiers was not only a great cricketer but also a wonderful human being. He always gave 100% on the field and was loved by everyone, whether playing for his country or his franchise. AB de Villiers was a true 360-degree player who could bat, bowl, and field with equal skill and precision. His retirement is a massive loss to cricket, but he will always be remembered as one of the greatest players ever to grace the sport.
~Celebrate AB de Villiers - The Superman, the Myth, the Legend~
