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| AB de Villiers | |
|---|---|
| Name | Abraham Benjamin de Villiers |
| Birth date | 17 February 1984 |
| Birth place | Pretoria, South Africa |
| Nationality | South African |
| Occupation | Cricketer, Sportsman |
| Batting | Right-handed |
| Role | Batsman, Wicket-keeper |
AB de Villiers is a former South African international cricketer widely regarded as one of the most innovative and versatile batsmen in modern Test, ODI and T20 formats. Known for extraordinary timing, unconventional shot-making and rapid scoring, he represented South Africa across formats and later starred in global franchise leagues such as the Indian Premier League and Big Bash League. His career intersected with contemporaries and rivals from teams like Australia, India, England, New Zealand, and Pakistan.
Born in Pretoria in 1984, he grew up in a family connected to Afrikaans and attended Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool where peers included future athletes and public figures from rugby and Olympics disciplines. He excelled in multiple sports including rugby union, tennis, and field hockey alongside youth cricketers who progressed to provincial setups such as Northerns cricket team. De Villiers progressed through age-group pathways including South Africa Under-19 cricket team and featured in competitions linked to institutions like Cricket South Africa and provincial tournaments in Gauteng and Mpumalanga.
He made his domestic debut for Northerns then represented franchises such as Titans in South African domestic competitions, competing in tournaments connected to Sunfoil Series and Momentum One Day Cup. International franchise stints included signing for Delhi Daredevils/Capitals and Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League where he played alongside stars from Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings, and Kolkata Knight Riders. He also featured for Barbados Tridents in the Caribbean Premier League, Rangpur Riders in the Bangladesh Premier League, Somerset County Cricket Club in County Championship, and Montreal Tigers in newer tournaments connected to the Global T20 Canada. De Villiers had short engagements with Melbourne Stars and Sydney Sixers in the Big Bash League. His franchise movements intersected with administrators and coaches from organizations like BCCI, ECB, and franchise owners linked to ICC events.
He debuted for South Africa in the early 2000s, forming part of squads in series against Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and West Indies. He participated in major tournaments such as the Cricket World Cup and the Champions Trophy and in bilateral Test series including tours to Australia, India, England, New Zealand, and Zimbabwe. Playing under captains like Graeme Smith, Jacques Kallis-era leadership figures, and later alongside captains such as Hashim Amla and Faf du Plessis, he contributed to series victories and memorable chases including fixtures at venues like Wanderers Stadium, Eden Gardens, Lord's, and Melbourne Cricket Ground. He announced an initial international retirement citing personal reasons and workload, briefly stepped away from Test selection to concentrate on limited overs, and eventually retired from all international cricket before returning to franchise cricket.
A right-handed batsman renowned for inventive strokeplay including reverse sweeps, scoop shots and ramp shots, he was often compared to aggressive contemporaries from Australia and India while being praised by figures such as Sachin Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting, Brian Lara, and Jacques Kallis. He held records in ODI such as fastest 50, 100 and 150, and compiled centuries and double centuries against opponents including England, Bangladesh, and West Indies. In Tests he scored multiple centuries at venues like Cape Town Stadium and Newlands Cricket Ground, and he kept wicket regularly contributing dismissals alongside bowlers like Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, Allan Donald, and Kagiso Rabada. His career statistics featured high averages and strike rates, and he earned spots in elite lists such as ICC ODI Team of the Year and tournament dream teams assembled by panels including former players from Cricket Australia and MCC.
He received numerous accolades such as multiple South African Cricket Annual player awards, selection in ICC ODI Team of the Year and ICC World XI squads, and franchise-level recognitions like IPL Orange Cap contention seasons and club awards at Royal Challengers Bangalore. National honors included nominations in South African Sports Awards and recognition from cricketing bodies such as Cricket South Africa and international awards administered by the International Cricket Council. He was celebrated in media outlets including ESPNcricinfo, BBC Sport, Sky Sports, The Guardian, and The Times for match-winning innings and contributions to cricketing culture.
Off the field he married a partner with connections to South African business and media circles and maintained residence in Centurion, Gauteng. He engaged in philanthropy through foundations and initiatives tied to causes such as youth development and healthcare, working with organizations and events supported by entities like Nelson Mandela Foundation beneficiaries and charity matches organized by groups including Cricket South Africa and international charitable partners. He authored and contributed to projects involving media companies and appeared in documentaries and broadcasts produced by networks like SuperSport and Sky Sports. After retirement he pursued interests in motorsport, entrepreneurship, and mentorship programs collaborating with academies and clubs across South Africa, India, and United Kingdom.
Category:South African cricketers Category:1984 births Category:Living people