AB de Villiers

Full Name: Abraham Benjamin de Villiers

Popularly Known As: AB de Villiers

Date of Birth: February 17, 1984

Place of Birth: Warmbaths (now Bela-Bela), South Africa

Nationality: South African

Playing Role: Batsman, Wicketkeeper

Batting Style: Right-handed

Bowling Style: Right-arm medium

Personal Life

Abraham Benjamin de Villiers, popularly known as AB de Villiers, was born on 17 February 1984 in Warmbad (modern-day Bela-Bela), South Africa, to Abraham B de Villiers and Millie de Villiers. He grew up in a relaxed environment where everyone knew each other. AB de Villiers has two elder brothers, Jan de Villiers and Wessels de Villiers. He attended Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool in Pretoria, where he was classmates with his teammate Faf du Plessis, with whom he has maintained a close friendship. He graduated from high school. His father, a doctor who had played rugby union in his youth, encouraged him to participate in sports from a young age.

AB de Villiers proposed to his girlfriend, Danielle Swart, at the Taj Mahal in 2012, after five years of dating. The couple got married on 30 March 2013, in Bela-Bela, South Africa. They have two sons and one daughter. He is a devout Christian and has stated that his faith is crucial to his approach to life. He is also an accomplished guitar player and singer. In 2010, he released a bilingual pop album entitled “Maak Jou Drome Waar” with his friend and South African singer Ampie du Preez. His autobiography, “AB de Villiers – the Autobiography,” was released in September 2016. He is the most-followed South African on Instagram.

Career Statistics:

Test Career: AB de Villiers had a stellar Test career, playing 114 matches and scoring 8,765 runs at an average of 50.66. He scored 22 centuries, with a highest score of 278, showcasing his ability to build big innings. Known for his consistency, de Villiers also notched up 46 half-centuries in Test cricket. He was a key player for South Africa, contributing significantly with the bat in the longest format.

ODI Career: In One-Day Internationals (ODIs), de Villiers made a significant impact with his aggressive batting style. He played 228 matches, scoring 9,577 runs at an impressive average of 53.50. He scored 25 centuries and 53 half-centuries, highlighting his ability to convert starts into big scores. With a highest score of 176, de Villiers was known for his ability to accelerate the innings and play match-winning knocks for South Africa.

T20I Career: In the shortest format, T20 Internationals (T20Is), de Villiers showcased his prowess as a versatile batsman. He played 78 matches, scoring 1,672 runs at an average of 26.12 and a striking rate of 135.17. While he didn’t score a century in T20Is, he contributed with 10 half-centuries, showcasing his ability to adapt his game to the fast-paced nature of T20 cricket.

IPL Career: AB de Villiers’ impact in the Indian Premier League (IPL) was significant, particularly with his stint for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). He played 184 matches in the IPL, scoring 5,162 runs at an average of 39.71 and a striking rate of 151.69. Known for his innovative batting and ability to score quickly, de Villiers scored 3 centuries and 40 half-centuries in the IPL. His partnership with Virat Kohli and his ability to turn matches around with his explosive batting made him a fan favorite in the IPL.

Career Highlights:

– AB de Villiers is a former South African cricketer and one of the most dynamic and versatile batsmen in the history of the game.

– He made his international debut for South Africa in December 2004 in a Test match against England.

– De Villiers excelled in all three formats of the game: Test cricket, One-Day Internationals (ODIs), and Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is).

– Known for his unorthodox shot selection, incredible hand-eye coordination, and ability to play shots 360 degrees around the ground, de Villiers is often regarded as one of the most innovative and entertaining batsmen of his generation.

– In Test cricket, he displayed his ability to adapt to different situations, scoring over 8,000 runs with an average of above 50. He registered 22 centuries and 46 half-centuries in the longest format of the game.

– In ODIs, de Villiers amassed over 9,000 runs at an average of over 53. He holds numerous records, including the fastest century in ODIs (off just 31 balls) against the West Indies in 2015.

– De Villiers also had success in T20Is, scoring over 1,600 runs and holding the record for the fastest half-century in the format (off 16 balls) against the West Indies in 2015.

– He served as the captain of the South African national cricket team in all three formats from 2012 to 2017.

– De Villiers was known for his exceptional wicketkeeping skills and often took up the gloves for South Africa in limited-overs cricket.

– He represented the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and played for several other domestic teams around the world.

– In May 2018, de Villiers announced his retirement from all forms of international cricket, leaving behind a remarkable legacy as one of the greatest cricketers of his time.

Records:

Test Matches:

– Most dismissals in a match (11)

– Most consecutive matches for a team (98)

– Most catches in a match (11)

– Most runs in an innings (by batting position) (217)

– Hundred and a ninety in a match

– Fifties in consecutive matches (12)

– Pair by a captain

– A hundred and five dismissals in an innings

– 5000 runs and 50 fielding dismissals

– Captains who have kept wicket (30)

One-Day Internationals (ODIs):

– Most runs in an innings (by batting position) (162)

– Highest strike rate in an innings (338.63)

– Hundreds in consecutive innings (3)

– Dismissed for 99 (and 199, 299 etc) (99)

– Most ducks in a series (4)

– Most sixes in an innings (16)

– Fastest to 9000 runs (205)

– A fifty and five dismissals in an innings

– 5000 runs and 50 fielding dismissals

– Most dismissals in an innings (4)

Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is):

– Most catches in an innings (4)

Combined Test, ODI, and T20I records:

– Most nineties in career (14)

– Most innings before first duck (84)

– Most sixes in career (328)