Celebrated South African batsman AB de Villiers, renowned for his diverse range of shots and unconventional playing style, celebrates his 40th birthday today. Making his debut in international cricket in 2004, he has amassed numerous accolades, records, and remarkable statistics, cementing his status as one of the most adored figures in cricket history.
Having represented the Proteas in 114 Test matches, de Villiers boasts an impressive record of 8,765 runs at an average of 50.66, showcasing his remarkable consistency. His tally includes 22 centuries and 46 half-centuries in the longer format, with a top score of 278*. Despite his well-documented achievements, there are still some lesser-known facts about the dynamic player.
- AB de Villiers, known for his cricketing prowess, also excelled in academics. He received a national medal from Nelson Mandela for a science project during his schooling years.
- A devoted Manchester United fan, de Villiers admires footballers Ryan Giggs and Ole Gunnar Solskjær. Swiss tennis legend Roger Federer is de Villiers’ favourite sports personality, along with golfer Tiger Woods.
- Beyond cricket, de Villiers showcased proficiency in various sports, holding six South African school swimming records, and excelling in hockey, rugby, badminton, and tennis at both school and national levels, while displaying golf skills.
- Setting a world record, de Villiers played 78 innings in Test cricket before registering his first duck against Bangladesh in 2008.
- De Villiers holds the records for the fastest ODI fifty (16 balls) and century (31 balls), achieved against West Indies in January 2015.
- He also holds the record for the fastest century by a South African in Test cricket, scoring one off 75 balls against India in 2010-11.
- Not just a prolific batsman, de Villiers demonstrated his wicketkeeping skills by scoring a century and effecting 11 dismissals in a single Test match against Pakistan in February 2013.
- De Villiers is South Africa’s highest run-scorer in Cricket World Cup history, with notable performances in the 2007, 2011, and 2015 editions.
- He was honored as the ICC ODI Cricketer of the Year thrice, in 2010, 2014, and 2015, and held the top rankings in both ODI and Test formats for significant periods.
- His IPL journey began in 2008 with Delhi Daredevils, followed by a stint with Royal Challengers Bangalore from 2011 onwards, where he showcased his batting prowess with remarkable centuries.
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