AB de Villiers &#8211; One man, countless memories! The legendary South African batsman stunned the cricketing world by announcing an unexpected retirement on Wednesday. The 34-year-old batsman is known for his skill to hit the ball in all corners of the ground. This exceptional skill has earned him the name, Mr 360.

<a href="https://www.crictracker.com/open-letter-ab-de-villiers-hurt-thankful-well/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">de Villiers</a> is a multifaceted person on the field. He is the same person who can score a century of 31 balls and also score a 43 off 297 balls to save a Test match. Apart from his batting heroics, ABD is also a lightening fielder. His unbelievable feats on the field sometimes get the fans thinking if he is an alien.

ABD holds the record for the fastest 50,100 and 150 in ODI cricket and numerous other records across formats. As we will never again see ABD don the Proteas colours again, let us relive some of the best knocks from this legend. Although there are countless top knocks from this legend, here we have some of those which would stand out.

1. 149 off 44 vs WI, 2nd ODI, Johannesburg, 2015

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-255072" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/AB-de-Villiers-6.jpg" alt="AB de Villiers" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-255072" class="wp-caption-text">AB de Villiers. (Photo by Duif du Toit/Gallo Images/Getty Images)</figcaption>

The Proteas are a completely a different force to reckon with when they are playing in their Pink ODI jersey. And, in the same jersey, AB de Villiers is just a beast. The West Indies bowlers will definitely agree to this fact as they have tasted his medicine not once but twice. On 18 January 2015, an absolute storm took over Johannesburg. No one would have ever imagined that AB de Villiers could be so brutal. In fact, he was a monster that day!

Cricket lovers from around the globe witnessed one of the most astonishing and mind-boggling display of power-hitting. Batting first, <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/hashim-amla-comes-up-with-a-beautiful-message-for-ab-de-villiers-after-his-retirement/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hashim Amla</a> and Rillie Rossouw set up an opening partnership of 247. de Villiers came out at No 3 with 11.3 overs remaining and left the Windies bowlers a day they would never ever forget. He started striking right from ball one and also equalled Rohit Sharma&#8217;s record of 16 sixes in that innings. He got to his 50 in 16 balls and 100 in 31 balls which is still a record. ABD got out on the 4th ball of the 50th over after making 149 off 44 but enough damage was done by then.

2. 162* off 66 vs WI, Sydney, 2015 World Cup

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-255075" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/AB-de-Villiers-vs-WI.jpg" alt="AB de Villiers" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-255075" class="wp-caption-text">AB de Villiers. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)</figcaption>

Exactly about five weeks later, on 27th February, it was the Windies bowlers yet again at the receiving end. This time at a much larger platform, the Cricket World Cup. Incidentally, this was also ABD&#8217;s last World Cup. Also, it was the same set of bowlers who were taken apart in this game as well. The Proteas yet again batted first but there wasn&#8217;t any big fat opening partnership this time around. All of Amla, du Plessis and Rossouw scored about 60 but couldn&#8217;t carry on.

ABD walked into the middle in the 30th over at the fall of Amla&#8217;s wicket. He started steadily but suddenly shifted gears and the Windies bowlers yet again had no clue how to go about his onslaught. He was 53 off 31 balls at the end of the 40th over. In the last 10 overs, he faced 35 balls and scored 109 runs. <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/west-indies-skipper-jason-holder-lead-barbados-tridents-cpl/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jason Holder</a>&#8216;s figures read 5-2-9-1 at one stage of the match. However, he ended up on 10-2-104-1 showing how brutal was ABD. ABD scored 30 runs off Jason Holder in the last over of the innings. 80 runs were scored off the last 3.2 overs with AB scoring 68 of them. He also broke Shane Watson&#8217;s record of 83-ball 150 as he got there in just 64 deliveries.

3. 126* vs Australia, 2nd Test, Elizabeth, 2018

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-44980" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/AB-de-Villiers-and-Faf-du-Plessis-of-South-Africa-vs-Australia-Adelaide-2012-Test.jpg" alt="AB de Villiers and Faf du Plessis of South Africa" width="650" height="433" sizes="(max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-44980" class="wp-caption-text">AB de Villiers and Faf du Plessis of South Africa. (© Getty Images)</figcaption>

In his own words, this series-defining century is &#8220;one of my best ever&#8221;. Australia went into this series with a record of not having lost a Test series against the Proteas in South Africa since 1992. This series was involved in various <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/ab-de-villiers-feels-that-the-punishment-given-to-steve-smith-and-co-was-harsh/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">controversies</a> and as ABD said, &#8216;A series to remember&#8217;. This was also Morne Morkel and ABD&#8217;s last Test series. The Aussies continued with this impeccable record as they won the First Test and the Proteas were yet again staring at an embarrassing defeat in their own backyard.

The Proteas needed something special in the Second Test to provide them with the much-needed impetus. The Aussies scored 243 in the first innings and the South Africans were down to 183 for 6 at one stage and it looked obvious that the Aussies will take a good lead. But then arrived the Superman scoring an unbeaten 126, his first century after 3 years to provide the Proteas with a lead of 139. With this innings, he made a statement that he had a lot left in him. SA won that match by 6 wickets and went on to win the series 3-1, their first against Australia in South Africa.

4. 43 off 297 balls vs India, 4th Test, Delhi, 2015

<img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-44968" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Faf-Du-Plessis-and-AB-de-Villiers-Partnership-South-Africa-v-India-4th-Test-Delhi.jpg" alt="Slowest partnerships" width="800" height="533" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-44968" class="wp-caption-text">Faf Du Plessis and AB de Villiers. (Photo Source: BCCI)</figcaption>

If you are ever to coach a youngster about playing spin in the subcontinent, this innings is an example. Although this came in a losing cause, this innings will definitely stand out in his career. After dominating India in the T20Is and ODIs, South Africa was greeted with pitches that turned square in the Test series. They found it tough facing Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja who were at the peak of their careers back then. They were already down in the 4-match Test series 0-2 before they played the 4th Test.

The Indian batsmen and bowlers were very dominant throughout the Test match. The Indians scored 334 in the first innings and SA were bowled for just 121 in the first innings. In the second innings, the Indians declared at 267/5 leaving South Africa with almost an impossible target to chase on a pitch that had it all for the spinners. The Proteas had to play an entire day out to save the match and then this knock came from ABD. He showed the world what true resilience was but his efforts fell short as he was dismissed by Ashwin while batting on 43. His strike-rate in that innings was just 14 which is truly shocking.

5. 112 off 107 vs India, 4th ODI, Chennai, 2015

<img loading="lazy" class="wp-image-37859" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/AB-de-Villiers-22nd-ODI-Century-South-Africa-vs-India-4th-ODI-Chennai.jpg" alt="AB de Villiers" width="640" height="438" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-37859" class="wp-caption-text">AB de Villiers. (Photo Source: BCCI)</figcaption>

This innings from the legendary AB de Villiers is a long forgotten one but was one of his epic knocks. South Africa was looking to knock India down in the ODI series in the 4th ODI but India somehow miraculously managed to escape the ABD threat to level the series 2-2. It was extremely hot and humid in Chennai. It was so hot that the heat sucked the pulp out of all the players.

An athlete as supremely fit as <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/i-want-no-part-of-my-career-being-flashed-into-my-house-when-my-kids-grow-up-virat-kohli/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Virat Kohli</a> who batted for about 43 overs in the first innings was down with cramps and couldn&#8217;t take the field in the second innings. Virat scored 138 off 140 to take India&#8217;s total to 299 in the first innings. de Villiers who was leading the Proteas was in the field for all 50 overs in the first innings. He came out to bat in the second innings and was already struggling with cramps. Yet, he scored one of his best ODI centuries in that match. He scored 112 but couldn&#8217;t sustain throughout and bowed down in the 45th over to Bhuvneshwar Kumar. His side fell short by 35 runs but still, this innings remains inked in the record books as one of his best centuries.

AB de Villiers – One man, countless memories! The legendary South African batsman stunned the cricketing world by announcing&nbsp;an unexpected retirement on Wednesday. The 34-year-old batsman is known for his skill to hit the ball in all corners of the ground. This exceptional skill has earned him the name, Mr 360.
<a href="https://www.crictracker.com/open-letter-ab-de-villiers-hurt-thankful-well/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">de Villiers</a> is a multifaceted person on the field. He is the same person who can score a century of 31 balls and also score a 43 off 297 balls to save a Test match. Apart from his batting heroics, ABD is also a lightening fielder. His unbelievable feats on the field sometimes get the fans thinking if he is an alien.
ABD holds the record for the fastest 50,100 and 150 in ODI cricket and numerous other records across formats. As we will never again see ABD don the Proteas colours again, let us relive some of the best knocks from this legend. Although there are countless top knocks from this legend, here we have some of those which would stand out.
<h3>1. 149 off 44 vs WI, 2nd ODI, Johannesburg, 2015</h3>
<figure id="attachment_255072" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-255072" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img class="size-full wp-image-255072" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/AB-de-Villiers-6.jpg" alt="AB de Villiers" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img><figcaption id="caption-attachment-255072" class="wp-caption-text">AB de Villiers. (Photo by Duif du Toit/Gallo Images/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
The Proteas are a completely a different force to reckon with when they are playing in their Pink ODI jersey. And, in the same jersey, AB de Villiers is just a beast. The West Indies bowlers will definitely agree to this fact as they have tasted his medicine not once but twice. On 18 January 2015, an absolute storm took over Johannesburg. No one would have ever imagined that AB de Villiers could be so brutal. In fact, he was a monster that day!
Cricket lovers from around the globe witnessed one of the most astonishing and mind-boggling display of power-hitting. Batting first, <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/hashim-amla-comes-up-with-a-beautiful-message-for-ab-de-villiers-after-his-retirement/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hashim Amla</a> and Rillie Rossouw set up an opening partnership of 247. de Villiers came out at No 3 with 11.3 overs remaining and left the Windies bowlers a day they would never ever forget. He started striking right from ball one and also equalled Rohit Sharma’s record of 16 sixes in that innings. He got to his 50 in 16 balls and 100 in 31 balls which is still a record. ABD got out on the 4th ball of the 50th over after making 149 off 44 but enough damage was done by then.

<h3>2. 162* off 66 vs WI, Sydney, 2015 World Cup</h3>
<figure id="attachment_255075" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-255075" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img class="size-full wp-image-255075" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/AB-de-Villiers-vs-WI.jpg" alt="AB de Villiers" width="640" height="400" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img><figcaption id="caption-attachment-255075" class="wp-caption-text">AB de Villiers. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
Exactly about five weeks later, on 27th February, it was the Windies bowlers yet again at the receiving end. This time at a much larger platform, the Cricket World Cup. Incidentally, this was also ABD’s last World Cup. Also, it was the same set of bowlers who were taken apart in this game as well. The Proteas yet again batted first but there wasn’t any big fat opening partnership this time around. All of Amla, du Plessis and Rossouw scored about 60 but couldn’t carry on.
ABD walked into the middle in the 30th over at the fall of Amla’s wicket. He started steadily but suddenly shifted gears and the Windies bowlers yet again had no clue how to go about his onslaught. He was 53 off 31 balls at the end of the 40th over. In the last 10 overs, he faced 35 balls and scored 109 runs. <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/west-indies-skipper-jason-holder-lead-barbados-tridents-cpl/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jason Holder</a>‘s figures read 5-2-9-1 at one stage of the match. However, he ended up on 10-2-104-1 showing how brutal was ABD. ABD scored 30 runs off Jason Holder in the last over of the innings.&nbsp;80 runs were scored off the last 3.2 overs with AB scoring 68 of them. He also broke Shane Watson’s record of 83-ball 150 as he got there in just 64 deliveries.

<h3>3.&nbsp;126* vs Australia, 2nd Test, Elizabeth, 2018</h3>
<figure id="attachment_44980" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-44980" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img class="size-full wp-image-44980" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/AB-de-Villiers-and-Faf-du-Plessis-of-South-Africa-vs-Australia-Adelaide-2012-Test.jpg" alt="AB de Villiers and Faf du Plessis of South Africa" width="650" height="433" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img><figcaption id="caption-attachment-44980" class="wp-caption-text">AB de Villiers and Faf du Plessis of South Africa. (© Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
In his own words, this series-defining century is “one of my best ever”. Australia went into this series with a record of not having lost a Test series against the Proteas in South Africa since 1992. This series was involved in various <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/ab-de-villiers-feels-that-the-punishment-given-to-steve-smith-and-co-was-harsh/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">controversies</a> and as ABD said, ‘A series to remember’. This was also Morne Morkel and ABD’s last Test series. The Aussies continued with this impeccable record as they won the First Test and the Proteas were yet again staring at an embarrassing defeat in their own backyard.
The Proteas needed something special in the Second Test to provide them with the much-needed impetus. The Aussies scored 243 in the first innings and the South Africans were down to 183 for 6 at one stage and it looked obvious that the Aussies will take a good lead. But then arrived the Superman scoring an unbeaten 126, his first century after 3 years to provide the Proteas with a lead of 139. With this innings, he made a statement that he had a lot left in him. SA won that match by 6 wickets and went on to win the series 3-1, their first against Australia in South Africa. 

<h3>4. 43 off 297 balls vs India, 4th Test, Delhi, 2015</h3>
<figure id="attachment_44968" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-44968" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img class="size-full wp-image-44968" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Faf-Du-Plessis-and-AB-de-Villiers-Partnership-South-Africa-v-India-4th-Test-Delhi.jpg" alt="Slowest partnerships" width="800" height="533" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img><figcaption id="caption-attachment-44968" class="wp-caption-text">Faf Du Plessis and AB de Villiers. (Photo Source: BCCI)</figcaption></figure>
If you are ever to coach a youngster about playing spin in the subcontinent, this innings is an example. Although this came in a losing cause, this innings will definitely stand out in his career. After dominating India in the T20Is and ODIs, South Africa was greeted with pitches that turned square in the Test series. They found it tough facing Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja who were at the peak of their careers back then. They were already down in the 4-match Test series 0-2 before they played the 4th Test.
The Indian batsmen and bowlers were very dominant throughout the Test match. The Indians scored 334 in the first innings and SA were bowled for just 121 in the first innings. In the second innings, the Indians declared at 267/5 leaving South Africa with almost an impossible target to chase on a pitch that had it all for the spinners. The Proteas had to play an entire day out to save the match and then this knock came from ABD. He showed the world what true resilience was but his efforts fell short as he was dismissed by Ashwin while batting on 43. His strike-rate in that innings was just 14 which is truly shocking.

<h3>5. 112 off 107 vs India, 4th ODI, Chennai, 2015</h3>
<figure id="attachment_37859" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-37859" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"><amp-img class="wp-image-37859" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/AB-de-Villiers-22nd-ODI-Century-South-Africa-vs-India-4th-ODI-Chennai.jpg" alt="AB de Villiers" width="640" height="438" layout="responsive" style="max-width: 100%; margin: 0;"></amp-img><figcaption id="caption-attachment-37859" class="wp-caption-text">AB de Villiers. (Photo Source: BCCI)</figcaption></figure>
This innings from the legendary AB de Villiers is a long forgotten one but was one of his epic knocks. South Africa was looking to knock India down in the ODI series in the 4th ODI but India somehow miraculously managed to escape the ABD threat to level the series 2-2. It was extremely hot and humid in Chennai. It was so hot that the heat sucked the pulp out of all the players.
An athlete as supremely fit as <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/i-want-no-part-of-my-career-being-flashed-into-my-house-when-my-kids-grow-up-virat-kohli/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Virat Kohli</a> who batted for about 43 overs in the first innings was down with cramps and couldn’t take the field in the second innings. Virat scored 138 off 140 to take India’s total to 299 in the first innings. de Villiers who was leading the Proteas was in the field for all 50 overs in the first innings. He came out to bat in the second innings and was already struggling with cramps. Yet, he scored one of his best ODI centuries in that match. He scored 112 but couldn’t sustain throughout and bowed down in the 45th over to Bhuvneshwar Kumar. His side fell short by 35 runs but still, this innings remains inked in the record books as one of his best centuries.

AB de Villiers &#8211; One man, countless memories! The legendary South African batsman stunned the cricketing world by announcing an unexpected retirement on Wednesday. The 34-year-old batsman is known for his skill to hit the ball in all corners of the ground. This exceptional skill has earned him the name, Mr 360.
<a href="https://www.crictracker.com/open-letter-ab-de-villiers-hurt-thankful-well/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">de Villiers</a> is a multifaceted person on the field. He is the same person who can score a century of 31 balls and also score a 43 off 297 balls to save a Test match. Apart from his batting heroics, ABD is also a lightening fielder. His unbelievable feats on the field sometimes get the fans thinking if he is an alien.
ABD holds the record for the fastest 50,100 and 150 in ODI cricket and numerous other records across formats. As we will never again see ABD don the Proteas colours again, let us relive some of the best knocks from this legend. Although there are countless top knocks from this legend, here we have some of those which would stand out.
<h3>1. 149 off 44 vs WI, 2nd ODI, Johannesburg, 2015</h3>
<figure id="attachment_255072" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-255072" style="width: 640px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-255072" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/AB-de-Villiers-6.jpg" alt="AB de Villiers" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-255072" class="wp-caption-text">AB de Villiers. (Photo by Duif du Toit/Gallo Images/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
The Proteas are a completely a different force to reckon with when they are playing in their Pink ODI jersey. And, in the same jersey, AB de Villiers is just a beast. The West Indies bowlers will definitely agree to this fact as they have tasted his medicine not once but twice. On 18 January 2015, an absolute storm took over Johannesburg. No one would have ever imagined that AB de Villiers could be so brutal. In fact, he was a monster that day!
Cricket lovers from around the globe witnessed one of the most astonishing and mind-boggling display of power-hitting. Batting first, <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/hashim-amla-comes-up-with-a-beautiful-message-for-ab-de-villiers-after-his-retirement/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hashim Amla</a> and Rillie Rossouw set up an opening partnership of 247. de Villiers came out at No 3 with 11.3 overs remaining and left the Windies bowlers a day they would never ever forget. He started striking right from ball one and also equalled Rohit Sharma&#8217;s record of 16 sixes in that innings. He got to his 50 in 16 balls and 100 in 31 balls which is still a record. ABD got out on the 4th ball of the 50th over after making 149 off 44 but enough damage was done by then.

<h3>2. 162* off 66 vs WI, Sydney, 2015 World Cup</h3>
<figure id="attachment_255075" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-255075" style="width: 640px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-255075" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/AB-de-Villiers-vs-WI.jpg" alt="AB de Villiers" width="640" height="400" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-255075" class="wp-caption-text">AB de Villiers. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
Exactly about five weeks later, on 27th February, it was the Windies bowlers yet again at the receiving end. This time at a much larger platform, the Cricket World Cup. Incidentally, this was also ABD&#8217;s last World Cup. Also, it was the same set of bowlers who were taken apart in this game as well. The Proteas yet again batted first but there wasn&#8217;t any big fat opening partnership this time around. All of Amla, du Plessis and Rossouw scored about 60 but couldn&#8217;t carry on.
ABD walked into the middle in the 30th over at the fall of Amla&#8217;s wicket. He started steadily but suddenly shifted gears and the Windies bowlers yet again had no clue how to go about his onslaught. He was 53 off 31 balls at the end of the 40th over. In the last 10 overs, he faced 35 balls and scored 109 runs. <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/west-indies-skipper-jason-holder-lead-barbados-tridents-cpl/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Jason Holder</a>&#8216;s figures read 5-2-9-1 at one stage of the match. However, he ended up on 10-2-104-1 showing how brutal was ABD. ABD scored 30 runs off Jason Holder in the last over of the innings. 80 runs were scored off the last 3.2 overs with AB scoring 68 of them. He also broke Shane Watson&#8217;s record of 83-ball 150 as he got there in just 64 deliveries.

<h3>3. 126* vs Australia, 2nd Test, Elizabeth, 2018</h3>
<figure id="attachment_44980" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-44980" style="width: 650px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-44980" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/AB-de-Villiers-and-Faf-du-Plessis-of-South-Africa-vs-Australia-Adelaide-2012-Test.jpg" alt="AB de Villiers and Faf du Plessis of South Africa" width="650" height="433" sizes="(max-width: 650px) 100vw, 650px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-44980" class="wp-caption-text">AB de Villiers and Faf du Plessis of South Africa. (© Getty Images)</figcaption></figure>
In his own words, this series-defining century is &#8220;one of my best ever&#8221;. Australia went into this series with a record of not having lost a Test series against the Proteas in South Africa since 1992. This series was involved in various <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/ab-de-villiers-feels-that-the-punishment-given-to-steve-smith-and-co-was-harsh/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">controversies</a> and as ABD said, &#8216;A series to remember&#8217;. This was also Morne Morkel and ABD&#8217;s last Test series. The Aussies continued with this impeccable record as they won the First Test and the Proteas were yet again staring at an embarrassing defeat in their own backyard.
The Proteas needed something special in the Second Test to provide them with the much-needed impetus. The Aussies scored 243 in the first innings and the South Africans were down to 183 for 6 at one stage and it looked obvious that the Aussies will take a good lead. But then arrived the Superman scoring an unbeaten 126, his first century after 3 years to provide the Proteas with a lead of 139. With this innings, he made a statement that he had a lot left in him. SA won that match by 6 wickets and went on to win the series 3-1, their first against Australia in South Africa. 

<h3>4. 43 off 297 balls vs India, 4th Test, Delhi, 2015</h3>
<figure id="attachment_44968" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-44968" style="width: 800px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-44968" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/Faf-Du-Plessis-and-AB-de-Villiers-Partnership-South-Africa-v-India-4th-Test-Delhi.jpg" alt="Slowest partnerships" width="800" height="533" sizes="(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-44968" class="wp-caption-text">Faf Du Plessis and AB de Villiers. (Photo Source: BCCI)</figcaption></figure>
If you are ever to coach a youngster about playing spin in the subcontinent, this innings is an example. Although this came in a losing cause, this innings will definitely stand out in his career. After dominating India in the T20Is and ODIs, South Africa was greeted with pitches that turned square in the Test series. They found it tough facing Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja who were at the peak of their careers back then. They were already down in the 4-match Test series 0-2 before they played the 4th Test.
The Indian batsmen and bowlers were very dominant throughout the Test match. The Indians scored 334 in the first innings and SA were bowled for just 121 in the first innings. In the second innings, the Indians declared at 267/5 leaving South Africa with almost an impossible target to chase on a pitch that had it all for the spinners. The Proteas had to play an entire day out to save the match and then this knock came from ABD. He showed the world what true resilience was but his efforts fell short as he was dismissed by Ashwin while batting on 43. His strike-rate in that innings was just 14 which is truly shocking.

<h3>5. 112 off 107 vs India, 4th ODI, Chennai, 2015</h3>
<figure id="attachment_37859" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-37859" style="width: 640px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" class="wp-image-37859" src="https://crictracker-admin-panel-08032022.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/media/attachments/AB-de-Villiers-22nd-ODI-Century-South-Africa-vs-India-4th-ODI-Chennai.jpg" alt="AB de Villiers" width="640" height="438" sizes="(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px"><figcaption id="caption-attachment-37859" class="wp-caption-text">AB de Villiers. (Photo Source: BCCI)</figcaption></figure>
This innings from the legendary AB de Villiers is a long forgotten one but was one of his epic knocks. South Africa was looking to knock India down in the ODI series in the 4th ODI but India somehow miraculously managed to escape the ABD threat to level the series 2-2. It was extremely hot and humid in Chennai. It was so hot that the heat sucked the pulp out of all the players.
An athlete as supremely fit as <a href="https://www.crictracker.com/i-want-no-part-of-my-career-being-flashed-into-my-house-when-my-kids-grow-up-virat-kohli/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Virat Kohli</a> who batted for about 43 overs in the first innings was down with cramps and couldn&#8217;t take the field in the second innings. Virat scored 138 off 140 to take India&#8217;s total to 299 in the first innings. de Villiers who was leading the Proteas was in the field for all 50 overs in the first innings. He came out to bat in the second innings and was already struggling with cramps. Yet, he scored one of his best ODI centuries in that match. He scored 112 but couldn&#8217;t sustain throughout and bowed down in the 45th over to Bhuvneshwar Kumar. His side fell short by 35 runs but still, this innings remains inked in the record books as one of his best centuries.

Which one is your favourite?

Top five knocks of the amazing AB de Villiers

As AB de Villiers retired from international cricket recently, relive some of the best knocks in his career in Tests and ODIs here.