.svg){kind=small}
Cricket takes skill and focus. Some players, like AB de Villiers, stand out with their talent. His skills on the field and his force in the game have been truly amazing. In this blog, we'll see why AB de Villiers is considered one of the best cricketers. He inspires many with his talent and passion. AB de Villiers is an unstoppable cricket icon.
AB de Villiers is a fan-favourite cricketer globally. Born on 17 February 1984, de Villiers started playing cricket early in Pretoria, South Africa.
He received his education from one of the most renowned schools in South Africa, known as Affies. It is short for the Afrikaans High School located in Pretoria.
He joined the South African under-19 cricket team in 2002. He made his ODI and test debut in 2004 and 2005.
Looking at his skills, South African coaching staff were quick to make him a vital part of the team.
He's been named SA Cricketer of the Year four times and was the Wisden Leading Cricketer in the World in 2015.
AB de Villiers was a star cricketer from a young age, playing junior provincial cricket.
Due to his all-round play, he is one of the best versatile players South Africa ever got. Recognized as the World's top point fielder, he's fast, has top-notch catching abilities, and a powerful throw.
He's a top-rate wicketkeeper too. With Mark Boucher's retirement, de Villiers kept wicket for South Africa in ODI and T20 cricket.
AB de Villiers is a record-breaker in one-day cricket. He holds the fastest records for scoring fifty (16 balls), a hundred (31 balls), and 150 runs (64 balls). He's also the quickest to reach 8,000 ODI runs. Incredibly, he's the only cricketer to maintain an average of over 50 and a strike rate over 100 in 50-over matches. Simply put, he's a top performer in short-form cricket.
During the 2015 World Cup, de Villiers racked up 482 runs in just seven innings, averaging 96.4 with a strike rate of 144.31. His overall ODI average is 54.21; impressively, it hasn't dipped below 50 since 2008.
AB de Villiers' batting technique is beautifully simple, reminiscent of Sachin Tendulkar's style, with a semi-raised bat swing.
As the bowler charges, de Villiers remains utterly still. He employs the Kallis double trigger move just before the ball leaves the bowler's hand. This stillness, a common trait in great players like Tendulkar, is key. The mantra here is: when in doubt, stay still!
His back foot slides back and across while his front foot opens up.
AB de Villiers is a balanced batsman, comfortable on both the front and back foot. He has a soft spot for the cut and square drive, often favouring his beloved square cut.
His leg-side strokes are exceptional, and he's a master of the pick-up pull against fast bowlers.
AB's batting style is classic yet powerful. He pulls back his hands for a short, potent swing. There's no overdoing it - no overswinging the bat or overstepping when he moves to strike.
Against spin, he's equally adaptable. He sweeps, reverse sweeps, comes down the pitch, and strikes inside out against the spinners. Short, sweet, and to the point - that's AB for you.
AB de Villiers is a living legend in the World of cricket. He has cemented his place among the greatest cricketers by his talent and dedication.
Fans have liked his exceptional fielding and batting skills and named him "Mr. 360" out of affection. This is due to his skills to pick a boundary from any location. Ab De Villiers has captivated cricket fans around the globe and has left an indelible mark on the sport.
