AB de Villiers, born on February 17, 1984, was destined to become a sporting legend. Although he demonstrated exceptional talent in various sports, cricket ultimately captured his passion. By the age of 21, he was already recognized as a promising star in South African cricket. Throughout his career, he transformed the art of batting with his extraordinary shot-making skills, remarkable strike rate, and versatility across all formats.

On this special occasion of his birthday, let us reflect on some of his most remarkable innings that solidified his status as one of the most adaptable and formidable batsmen of his time.

1. 278* vs Pakistan (Abu Dhabi, 2010)

AB de Villiers achieved the highest individual score by a South African cricketer, scoring an unbeaten 278 runs off 418 deliveries against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi. This remarkable performance surpassed Gary Kirsten's previous record of 275 and demonstrated de Villiers' capacity to play extended innings in Test matches. His extraordinary contribution enabled South Africa to set a formidable total, further solidifying his reputation as a key player in Test cricket.

2. 174 vs England (Headingley, 2008)

As South Africa sought to make history in England, de Villiers delivered a remarkable innings of 174 in the second Test at Headingley. This performance was instrumental in achieving a series victory for South Africa on English territory, a milestone that had been out of reach for many years. His capacity to withstand pressure and adapt his batting to the circumstances marked this as one of his most outstanding Test displays.

3. 106* vs Australia (Perth, 2008)

South Africa was pursuing a formidable target of 414 runs in the fourth innings at Perth when AB de Villiers rose to the occasion, scoring an unbeaten 106 runs off 186 deliveries. His performance, complemented by significant contributions from captain Graeme Smith, Hashim Amla, and Jacques Kallis, enabled South Africa to achieve a remarkable victory against Australia. This innings marked a pivotal moment in de Villiers' career.

4. 149 off 44 balls vs West Indies (Johannesburg, 2015) – Fastest ODI hundred

AB de Villiers set new records by scoring a century in merely 31 balls against the West Indies at the Wanderers, achieving the fastest ODI hundred ever recorded. He concluded his innings with a remarkable 149 runs off 44 balls, including 16 sixes and nine fours. This performance exemplified not only sheer power but also creativity, as he skillfully manipulated the field placements and executed bold shots to clear the boundary.

5. 162* off 66 balls vs West Indies (Sydney, 2015 World Cup)

1. In the 2015 Cricket World Cup, de Villiers delivered a remarkable performance that captivated the cricketing community. He scored an astonishing unbeaten 162 runs off just 66 balls against the West Indies in Sydney, achieving an extraordinary strike rate of 245.45. Notably, his rapid 150 runs off 64 balls in this match is recorded as the fastest 150 in One Day International history.

His capacity to innovate, adapt, and execute spectacular shots established him as one of the most formidable batsmen of his era. Even after his retirement from international cricket in 2018, his influence on the sport remains significant.

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