AB de Villiers (born Abraham Benjamin de Villiers) is a former South African cricketer known for his excellent batting abilities, adaptability, and ingenuity on the field. Throughout his brilliant career, de Villiers won the adoration and respect of cricket fans all around the world, cementing his place as one of the best players of his age. This page delves into AB de Villiers’ Net Worth, early life, professional milestones, personal life, awards and accomplishments.
AB de Villiers Net Worth
| Nickname: | Mr. 360 |
| Real Name: | Abraham Benjamin de Villiers |
| Net Worth: | $20 million |
| Birthplace: | Pretoria, South Africa |
| Weight: | 75 kg |
| Sexual Orientation: | Straight |
| Marital Status: | Married |
| Spouse: | Danielle de Villiers |
| Children: | Abraham, John Richard, Yente |
| Girlfriend: | None |
| Date of Birth: | February 17, 1984 |
| Gender: | Male |
| Height: | 1.80 m |
| Profession: | Former international cricketer, Current commentator |
| Nationality: | South African |
| Source of Wealth: | Cricket |
| Education: | Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool |
| Father: | Abraham B de Villiers |
| Mother: | Millie De Villiers |
| Brother: | Jan de Villiers, Wessels de Villiers Abraham |
| Sister: | None |
Early Years
AB de Villiers, born on February 17, 1984, is from Pretoria, South Africa. His enthusiasm for cricket began at a young age.
He attended Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool (Affies), a famous high school with a rich cricket heritage. Under the supervision of helpful coaches and mentors, de Villiers refined his talents and soon ascended through the ranks, garnering acclaim for his outstanding talent and devotion to the game.
Cricket Career
De Villiers is known for his flexibility and inventive stroke play, earning him the nickname “Mr. 360” for his ability to play strokes all around the wicket. He is also known for his outstanding fielding ability, which earned him the moniker “Superman” due to his acrobatic fielding exploits. Throughout his career, de Villiers has made an unforgettable impression on the cricketing world with his exceptional talent and services to the game.
AB de Villiers, a right-handed hitter, has had an impressive career in cricket. In Tests, he scored 8765 runs, including 22 centuries and 46 fifties. Notably, he held the record for the most Test innings without a duck (78) until he was dismissed for zero against Bangladesh in November 2008. He also has the second-highest individual score among South African batsmen, with an undefeated 278. Initially an infrequent wicketkeeper for South Africa, he took over regular wicketkeeping responsibilities across forms following Mark Boucher’s retirement. However, he gave up wicketkeeping in 2015, handing up the gloves to Quinton de Kock.
De Villiers’ talent extends beyond the Tests. He owns multiple One Day International (ODI) records, including the quickest 50 (16 balls), 100 (31 balls), and 150 (64 balls) ever by a batsman. He is also a three-time ICC ODI Player of the Year, having received the accolade in 2010, 2014, and 2015. After the 2011 Cricket World Cup, he took over from Graeme Smith as captain of the South African national ODI team and was elevated to Test captaincy in 2015/16. However, he later stepped down due to an elbow injury.
2004-2011
Despite reports of being a diverse athlete who excelled in golf, rugby, tennis, and hockey, de Villiers claimed that he was never great in any sport other than cricket. He confirmed this in his memoirs, rejecting several claims regarding his ability.
De Villiers began his international career in 2004, and he made an immediate impact with his batting. Despite early hurdles, he demonstrated his skill with memorable innings against top teams. He scored important runs at the 2007 Cricket World Cup, including his first ODI century against the West Indies. He got more notice for his outstanding performances, including as making a double century against India and helping to key victories over England and Australia.
The ICC acknowledged de Villiers’ remarkable accomplishments, including selections to the World Test XI and World ODI XI in 2009 and 2010, respectively. His contributions to South African cricket have left an unforgettable impression, cementing his status as one of the best cricketers of his period.
AB de Villiers demonstrated his batting prowess at the 2011 Cricket World Cup by reaching two consecutive centuries. He became the first South African to accomplish this milestone, joining a select club of batters in tournament history. Notably, his hit rate of 136.73 in World Cup centuries is still unparalleled among South African players. His remarkable performance earned him multiple medals, including three Player of the Match honors, putting him among the best South African players in World Cup games.
2011-2018
De Villiers was named South Africa’s new limited-overs captain in June 2011, despite having no prior first-class captaincy experience. He guided the squad to many important triumphs, including a historic win over Sri Lanka. Under his guidance, South Africa achieved tremendous milestones, including the most humiliating defeat in Sri Lanka’s ODI history.
De Villiers has continued to smash records and establish new standards in international cricket. In 2013, he tied Jack Russell’s record for 11 dismissals in a match while simultaneously hitting an undefeated century. His amazing performances extended to one-day international cricket, as he recorded the quickest fifty and century in history against the West Indies in 2015.
De Villiers was a standout performance in the 2015 Cricket World Cup, amassing 482 runs at an average of 96.0. His superb batting performances helped South Africa reach the semifinals, where they were nearly defeated by New Zealand. De Villiers ended the tournament as the third-highest run-scorer and topped the ICC batting rating for one-day international cricket.
In 2018, de Villiers announced his retirement from all forms of international cricket, citing exhaustion as a major reason. Despite his departure from international cricket, he plans to continue playing in T20 franchise tournaments. He has been a notable player in competitions such as the Indian Premier League (IPL), where he has demonstrated his remarkable batting abilities for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).
Personal Life
He and Danielle de Villiers are married, and they have three children together.
Awards and Achievements
He has garnered a number of ICC honors, including the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for ICC Cricketer of the Year in 2010 and 2014. De Villiers has also been chosen to several ICC teams of the year across all forms, demonstrating his constant performance on the field.
De Villiers has also won accolades from cricketing luminaries and contemporaries for his services to the game. His unique batting approaches have sealed his place as one of cricket’s greatest players of all time.
Frequently Asked Questions About AB de Villiers
1. What is AB de Villiers’ full name?
AB de Villiers’ full name is Abraham Benjamin de Villiers.
2. When and where was AB de Villiers born?
De Villiers was born on February 17, 1984, in Pretoria, South Africa.
3. What is AB de Villiers’ net worth?
His estimated net worth is around $20 million.
4. What teams has AB de Villiers played for?
He has represented the South African national team, Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League (IPL), Titans in South African domestic cricket, and various other teams in domestic T20 leagues worldwide.
5. What is AB de Villiers’ highest score in international cricket?
De Villiers’ highest score in international cricket is 278 not out, achieved against Pakistan in a Test match in November 2010.
6. Has AB de Villiers won any major awards?
Yes, De Villiers is a three-time ICC ODI player of the year, winning the award in 2010, 2014 and 2015.
7. Has AB de Villiers retired from international cricket?
Yes, De Villiers retired from international cricket in 2018.
8. What is AB de Villiers’ role in cricket?
De Villiers is a batsman but has also fulfilled roles as a wicketkeeper and fielder for various teams.
9. Has AB de Villiers played in the Indian Premier League (IPL)?
Yes, De Villiers has been a key player for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL.
10. What is AB de Villiers’ nickname?
People often refer to him by his initials, “AB,” or simply as “Mr. 360.”
Conclusion
AB de Villiers’ journey from a young cricket enthusiast to a global cricket icon is a testament to his talent, hard work, and dedication. Whether on the field or off, he continues to inspire cricket fans worldwide.
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