
AB de Villiers is widely regarded as one of the most versatile and talented cricketers of his generation. His performances across all formats (Test, ODI, and T20I) have made him a global cricketing icon. Below are the key highlights and details of his career:
Test Cricket
- Matches Played: 114
- Runs Scored: 8765
- Average: 50.66
- Centuries: 22
- Half-Centuries: 46
- Highest Score: 278*
- AB de Villiers was known for his ability to play both classical and innovative shots. His remarkable 278* against Australia in 2012 is one of his career-defining innings.
- He often adapted his game to the needs of the team, scoring quickly when required or holding the innings together when needed.
One Day Internationals (ODIs)
- Matches Played: 228
- Runs Scored: 9577
- Average: 53.50
- Centuries: 25
- Half-Centuries: 53
- Highest Score: 176
- AB’s ability to accelerate the innings in the middle and end phases was exceptional. His strike rate in ODIs was consistently impressive, and he was particularly dangerous in the powerplay and death overs.
- He is one of the few players to have scored over 2000 runs in World Cups, with his performances often being crucial in key matches.
T20 Internationals (T20Is)
- Matches Played: 78
- Runs Scored: 1672
- Average: 26.89
- Strike Rate: 135.16
- Highest Score: 79*
- While his T20I record isn’t as remarkable as his ODI and Test stats, AB’s aggressive approach and ability to turn games in a few overs made him a key player in T20 formats.
Key Achievements
- Known for his innovative shot-making, de Villiers introduced many unorthodox strokes like the “360-degree” batting, where he could hit the ball to any part of the ground, making him a nightmare for bowlers.
- AB de Villiers played in numerous memorable matches, including his stunning 149 off 44 balls against the West Indies in 2015, which remains one of the greatest innings in ODI history.
- He was also a standout performer in the IPL, playing for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), where he formed a strong partnership with Virat Kohli.
Retirement
- AB de Villiers retired from international cricket in May 2018, but continued playing in T20 leagues like the IPL and the Big Bash League. His decision to retire shocked many, as he was still performing at a very high level.
Overall, AB de Villiers is remembered as a cricketing genius, known for his ability to adapt his game to any format and his extraordinary skill set.
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