4 memorable innings by AB de Villiers in international cricket

AB de Villiers has shocked the cricket fraternity by announcing his retirement from international cricket with immediate effect. The 34 year old South African had a phenomenal international career and scored 20014 runs in 420 international matches with 47 centuries and 109 half-centuries. The dynamic AB hit 2004 boundaries and 328 sixes in his illustrious career.

AB was a live wire on the cricket field and took incredible catches both as a wicketkeeper and a fielder.

Here is a look at 4 memorable innings by AB in international cricket:

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#4 33 vs Australia at Adelaide

In the second Test against Australia at Adelaide in the year 2012, South Africa were set an improbable target of 430 in the fourth innings. South Africa were struggling at 77-4 when AB played one of the most special innings of his career to save his team and secure a draw.

He batted for 246 balls and scored 33 runs without a boundary or a six at a strike rate of 15. AB showed the cricket world that he had a defensive technique too and batted with difficulty on a day 5 Adelaide pitch. AB's patient knock and an unbeaten century by Du Plessis secured a draw for the South Africans.

#3 106* vs Australia at Perth

An unbeaten 106 against Australia at Perth was one of the highlights of AB's career

South Africa chased a target of 414 against Australia at Perth in 2008 which is the second highest chase in the history of international cricket. The chase was possible due to an unbeaten century by AB.

South Africa had lost 3 wickets for 179 runs when AB and Kallis attacked the Australian bowlers. The likes of Lee, Johnson, Siddle and Kreza had no answer to AB's heroics and AB in an innings of 276 balls hit 9 boundaries and scored an unbeaten 106 to guide South Africa to a 6 wicket victory.

#2 217* vs India at Ahmedabad

AB's double century guided South Africa to an innings victory against India

South Africa were on a tough tour to India in 2008 and the second Test against India in Ahmedabad was a special one for South Africa and AB de Villiers.

India won the toss and elected to bat and were bowled out for only 76 runs in 20 overs with Dale Steyn picking up 5 wickets.

Little did India know that Ab would play one of his best Test innings in that Test to lead South Africa to a memorable victory. Coming in to bat at number 6, AB smashed all the Indian bowlers and scored an unbeaten 217 in 333 balls at a strike rate of above 65. The special innings also included 17 boundaries and 2 sixes.

South Africa declared their innings at 494 and bowled out India for 328 runs in the third innings which led South Africa to a historic win by an innings and 90 runs.

#1 149 vs West Indies

AB de Villiers holds the record of scoring the fastest century in ODI cricket

AB de Villiers holds the record for scoring the fastest century in ODI cricket. The opponent was West Indies and the venue was the Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg on 18th January 2015.

The South African openers batted for 38.3 overs and scored 247 runs. After the dismissal of Russouw, AB de Villiers came out to bat and scored 149 runs in just 44 balls with 9 boundaries and 16 sixes at a strike rate of 338.63. AB scored his century in just 31 balls which till date is the fastest century in ODI cricket.

South Africa scored 439 runs in 50 overs and beat West Indies by 148 runs.