Abraham Benjamin de Villiers, widely known as AB de Villiers, is a celebrated former South African cricketer whose illustrious career spanned 15 years at the international level. Renowned for his innovative batting style, de Villiers accumulated over 8,000 runs in both Test and One Day International (ODI) formats, boasting an exceptional batting average exceeding fifty in each. His remarkable achievements include holding the records for the fastest ODI fifty (16 balls), century (31 balls), and 150 (62 balls), showcasing his explosive capabilities in limited-overs cricket.

De Villiers began his international journey in 2004, making a notable impact as a wicket-keeper-batsman before transitioning predominantly to a middle-order batsman. He captained the South African team across all formats, leading them to significant victories, including a historic Test win in Australia. His leadership was marked by strategic acumen and an ability to inspire his teammates, earning him respect both on and off the field. Under his captaincy, South Africa achieved remarkable success in ODIs, including a record-setting victory against Sri Lanka in 2012.

Throughout his career, de Villiers was recognized multiple times for his outstanding performances, being named ICC ODI Player of the Year three times (2010, 2014, and 2015) and featuring prominently in the ICC World XI. His contributions to the sport have solidified his status as one of the greatest batsmen of his era, culminating in his inclusion as one of the five Wisden cricketers of the decade at the end of 2019.

Following his retirement from international cricket in 2018, de Villiers continued to shine in T20 leagues, particularly in the Indian Premier League (IPL) with Royal Challengers Bangalore. His dynamic playing style, characterized by the ability to score runs all around the wicket, earned him the nickname “Mr. 360.” De Villiers remains a highly influential figure in cricket, celebrated for his extraordinary contributions to the game and his ongoing role as a commentator and mentor in the cricketing community.