The player who holds the record for the fastest 50, the fastest 100 and the fastest 150 in One Day International Cricket has to be someone of a special pedigree. The only player to have a batting average of over 50 coupled with a strike rate of over 100 in ODIs has to be someone of rare skill and competence.
Abraham Benjamin de Villiers, the Mr 360 degrees has announced his retirement from all forms of Cricket , leaving a gaping hole in the sport which in my opinion would be very very difficult to fill and surely not in the near future. We would not be able to see the mercurial AB de Villiers perform any more . This announcement of his has taken way the sheen not only from the Royal Challengers Bangalore Team but from the IPL as well.
It appears seemingly impossible to find someone having the same flair, the same flamboyance and the authority exhibited by ABD in the field. Blessed with both power and timing, ABD was relentless when in his stride. The sound which echoed from his bat when he pounded the bowlers, was exclusive to de Villiers. The gift of timing which he possessed has been witnessed in just a few others in the history of the sport. He played the most attractive brand of cricket, so entertaining and always a visual treat to lovers of cricket across the world. He could win matches from hopeless situations, which underlined his mental toughness apart from the exquisite talent he possessed.
Born on 17th February 1984 in Warmbad (now known as Bela-Bela) in the Limpopo Province near Pretoria, South Africa, ABD was destined to play a sport and had it not been cricket he would have surely excelled in Rugby or Hockey. Apart from his unquestionable talent and temperament ABD was a gifted athlete. One of the finest fielders of the modern era, de Villiers was a treat to watch while fielding too. Some of his heart stopping catches are testimony to his all round ability.
Personally, it used to be an occasion for me to watch ABD play and particularly when he joined RCB in the IPL I started following him much more than earlier. The thrill in seeing ABD unleash his strokes is unparalleled and so is the great man . There may be comparisons here and there, but certainly as of now ABD stands alone unchallenged. His retirement has saddened me and there is no doubt that Cricket has become a bit poorer by his exit.
AB de Villiers….what a player, what a sportsman, what an inspiration.