Pretoria

Former South Africa captain AB de Villiers on Friday announced his retirement from all formats of cricket. After his international retirement in 2018, de Villiers had continued to play in franchise cricket, notably for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

It has been an incredible journey, but I have decided to retire from all cricket.

Ever since the back yard matches with my older brothers, I have played the game with pure enjoyment and unbridled enthusiasm. Now, at the age of 37, that flame no longer burns so brightly. pic.twitter.com/W1Z41wFeli

— AB de Villiers (@ABdeVilliers17) November 19, 2021

ODI Career

AB de Villiers made his One Day International (ODI) debut against England in Bloemfontein on February 5, 2005.

In his first match, he scored just 20 runs as the match ended in a tie.

In 228 ODI matches, he scored 9,577 runs at an average of 53.5 and strike rate of 101.1.

AB de Villiers also holds the records for the fastest 50 (16 balls), 100 (31 balls) and 150 (64 balls) in ODIs.

He is a three-time ICC ODI player of the year, having won the titles in 2010, 2014 and 2015.

He is also the only batsman in ODI cricket to have completed a trio of 5,000-plus runs, 50-plus average, and over 100 strike rate in career.

 Royal Challengers Bangalore

IPL Career

The 37-year-old had played in 184 IPL matches, firstly for Delhi Capitals (formerly Delhi Daredevils) for three seasons followed by a successful decade with Bangalore, where he formed a formidable partnership with Virat Kohli.

Overall, he scored 5162 runs at an average of 39.70 and strike rate of 151.68, including three centuries and 40 half-centuries while being a member of the RCB side which entered IPL playoffs five times.

De Villiers featured in 114 Tests, 228 ODIs and 78 T20Is for the Proteas.

AB de Villiers' incredible hitting

T20 Career

AB de Villiers played his first T20 International match against Australia at The Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg on February 24, 2006.

He scored 1,672 runs in 78 matches at an average of 26.12 and a strike rate of 131.17.

He holds the record for scoring the fastest fifty by a South African in T20Is.

AB de Villiers Test debut against England 

Test career

AB de Villiers made his Test debut against England at Saint George’s Park in Port Elizabeth on December 17, 2004.

He accumulated over 8,000 runs in Tests, with 22 centuries and 46 fifties and an average of 50.66.

De Villiers holds the record for most Test innings without getting dismissed for a duck (78).

He also holds the second-highest individual score by a South African batsman (278 not out).

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