10 records that prove AB de Villiers' dominance in the world of cricket

De Villiers is a cricketing enigmaAbraham Benjamin de Villiers, better known as AB de Villiers, is a cricketing enigma, a pleasant one at that. In an effort to describe his batting in the last few years, the print has exhausted its share of adjectives. Still only 31, he has stacked up records that would have fallen far from any cricket fan’s imagination two decades back. While he has impregnated his impact on the game with his gargantuan achievements, he has also stretched batting beyond its realms, giving it a whole new dimension.With unabated talent and statistics to match, De Villiers is the quintessential legend of the modern game. His abilities have been well documented in this digital age, as suggested by these insane numbers that he has churned out over a decade:

#10 Most centuries by a South African in ODIs, Most sixes in a Calendar year

De Villiers was in unstoppable form during the recently concluded ODI series against India

He made an ordinary ODI debut against England in 2005 and took more than two years to post his first ODI ton. On the back of three ducks, he scored a rapid 146 against West Indies in the 2007 World Cup. In an eight-year period from 2007, De Villiers has managed to surpass the likes of Gibbs, Kallis and Kirsten to become the player with most hundreds for South Africa (23). Amazingly, all his 23 centuries have come at a strike rate of more than 100.

He added a new feather to his bulging cap during the recent ODI series against India by becoming the first batsman to hit more than 50 sixes in a calendar year. The record was previously held by Shahid Afridi, who hit 48 in 2002. With two months still to go, De Villiers’ tally currently stands at 58.

#9 Most sixes, Leading South African run-scorer in World Cups

De Villiers shares the record for most number of sixes in World Cup history with Chris Gayle

South Africa have been blessed with a number of stroke players since its return to International cricket in 1991. The likes of Jacques Kallis, Gary Kirsten, Herschelle Gibbs and Graeme Smith have amassed loads of runs for the Proteas in One-dayers. Unfortunately South Africa has never managed to win a single World Cup. They came agonizingly close this year, narrowly losing to New Zealand in the semi-finals.

AB De Villiers, playing his third World Cup, became the leading run-scorer for South Africans in all World Cups. He made his maiden ODI ton in the 2007 World Cup against West Indies. With two successive centuries and 353 runs in the 2011 World Cup, he ended as the highest run-getter for his team. Overall, he stands fifth on the list of most World Cup runs (1207).

He also shares the record for the most sixes in World Cup (37) with Chris Gayle.

#8 Fastest 100 by a South African in Tests

De Villiers and Kallis massacred the hapless Indian bowling at Centurion

He may have a Test strike rate of only 54, but De Villiers can turn caution into bravado whenever the situation demands. Famous for scoring 33 off 220 to save a Test match against Australia in 2012, he has also scored the fastest hundred by a South African in Tests (against India at Centurion in 2010).

Playing out a maiden in the first over, he cut loose on India’s weak bowling attack, tearing apart Harbhajan, Unadkat and Ishant Sharma. He didn’t need to bat again in the Test, as South Africa won by a convincing innings margin. The effort was the tenth fastest overall, and was instrumental in the 224-run stand between him and Jacques Kallis, the latter getting the first double ton of his career.

#7 Only player to have average over 50 in Tests, ODIs, First Class and List A cricket

De Villiers’ batting prowess is not restricted to any particular format

De Villiers’ consistency is best highlighted from the fact that he is the only player in the history of the game to average over 50 in Test, ODIs, First Class and List A cricket ( Domestic one-day). His form has been particularly rich in ODIs since 2009, with his average not dropping below 50 even once in a Calendar year.

Since 2008, he has averaged between 47 and 78 in Test cricket in each calendar year. His highest score of 278 (not out) was a South African best in Tests until Hashim Amla broke the record with an unbeaten 311 against England in 2012.

#6 Most Test innings without a duck (78)

De Villiers played 78 innings before making a duck in Test cricket

A young De Villiers experienced the best of both worlds during the World Cup 2007 when his debut century was preceded by a string of four ducks. Two more ducks will give him an unwanted record for the highest number of ducks in World Cups.

In Tests, however, he holds the world record for most innings before a duck. From 2004 to 2007, he played 78 innings without managing a single nought-figure against his name. He bettered the record set by Aravinda DeSilva, who remained duck-less for 75 innings.

A dependable batsman in Tests, his streak ended when he got stumped in uncharacteristic fashion, trying to dispatch Shakib Al-Hasan out of the park on only the second ball he faced.

#5 Most sixes in an ODI innings (16)

De Villiers started attacking right from the word go against West Indies

He has been dubbed Mr.360 for his ability to score runs all over the ground. A good example of the same was his record-breaking innings of 149 against the West Indies. The wagon wheel showed him hitting sixes all over the park, barring the area over the keeper’s head.

The only other batsmen to achieve this feat are Rohit Sharma and Chris Gayle, both of whom scored a double century in their respective innings. DeVilliers came in with just 11 overs left in the innings and smashed sixteen sixes. With a strike rate close to 340, he made 149 in 44 balls, and under an hour.

#4 Most dismissals by a wicketkeeper in a Test match (11)

De Villiers broke the previous record held by Jack Russell in a match against Pakistan

His back has not been particularly supportive, but De Villiers has donned the role of a wicketkeeper occasionally and has been particularly regular after the unfortunate departure of Mark Boucher from the team. He has worn the keeping gloves in 23 of the 98 Tests that he has played. Under his own captaincy, he was keeping regularly in ODIs, until Quinton de Kock came along.

He equaled Jack Russell’s record for most dismissals in a single Test match in 2012, accounting for eleven dismissals behind the stumps. He held six catches as Pakistan slumped to 49 all out, eventually losing the match by 211 runs. Russell had held the record for 18 years.

#3 Most consecutive Tests since making debut (98)

De Villiers played 98 consecutive Test matches since making his debut

Apart from his ability with the bat, DeVilliers is known for his work-ethic and motivation towards the game. He managed to play 98 Tests at a stretch since making his debut, the streak ending only when he took a paternity leave for the birth of his first child. He chose to drop out of the Test series against Bangladesh early this year, hence ending his the amazing run.

The record beat Gilchrist’s previous record of 96 matches, as he didn’t miss a single match since Test debut from 1999 to 2008. De Villiers and Gary Kirsten are the only two South Africans to play over fifty consecutive matches since their debut.

#2 Fastest to 7000 and 8000 ODI runs

Amla and De Villiers have been the most prolific batsmen for South Africa for quite some time now

The two pillars of South Africa’s current batting line-up, Hashim Amla and DeVilliers, have been slowly obliterating almost every fastest 1000 run multiple records in ODI cricket. While Amla is the fastest to 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000 and 6000 runs, DeVilliers is the record holder to the fastest 8000 and 9000 runs.

DeVilliers reached his record in 182 innings, 18 innings faster than Sourav Ganguly, the previous record holder. After a brief dip in form in 2006 and 2007, he has been in prime form. His ODI averages from 2009 till this year have ranged from 51 to 108, while his strike rate has never gone below 92.

#1 Fastest 50,100 and 150 in ODIs

De Villiers celebrates after reaching the 150-run mark

In a single innings of insanity, De Villiers went past both Sanath Jayasuriya and Corey Anderson as the record holder for the fastest fifty and hundred respectively in One-Day Internationals. His 149 off just 44 balls saw him break a number of batting records. He overhauled Jayasuriya’s nineteen-year-old record in a matter of 16 balls. Racing past his hundred in just 31 deliveries, he pulverized the West Indian attack into submission.

As if that was not enough, he chose a bigger stage, the World Cup, to complete the fastest 150 ever, scoring an unbeaten 162 off 66 deliveries. He bettered Shane Watson’s record for the fastest 150 by 19 deliveries. The ton was also the second fastest World Cup ton ever surpassing Kevin O’Brien’s hundred against England during the 2011 World Cup by two balls.