South African legend AB De Villiers on Friday announced retirement from all forms of cricket, ending a 17-year illustrious career. Devillers, regarded as one of the greatest batsmen to have ever played the game, last played an international match in April 2018 against Australia.
In a statement released, De Villiers said: “It has been an incredible journey, but I have decided to retire from all cricket. Ever since the backyard 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,” the South African said.
“That’s the reality I must accept – and, even if it may seem sudden, that is why I am making this announcement today. I’ve had my time. Cricket has been exceptionally kind to me. Cricket has been exceptionally kind to me. Whether playing for the Titans, or the Proteas, or RCB, or around the world, the game has given me unimagined experiences and opportunities, and I will always be grateful.”
In 114 Tests for South Africa, AB de Villiers scored a total of 8,765 runs at an average of 50.66. He hit 22 hundreds and 46 fifties with a top score of 278*. In ODIs, he went on to score another 9,577 runs at an average of 53.50 with 25 hundreds and 53 fifties. The 37-year-old also featured in 78 T20Is for Proteas, where he amassed 1,672 runs at a strike rate of 135.16.
All the important numbers behind AB de Villiers’ greatness
| Format | Matches | Runs | HS | Ave | SR | 100s | 50s |
| Test | 114 | 8765 | 278* | 50.66 | 54.51 | 22 | 46 |
| ODI | 228 | 9577 | 176 | 53.5 | 101.09 | 25 | 53 |
| T20I | 78 | 1672 | 79* | 26.12 | 135.16 | 0 | 10 |
| FC | 141 | 10689 | 278* | 49.71 | 56.18 | 25 | 60 |
| List A | 263 | 11123 | 176 | 53.47 | 29 | 63 | |
| T20 | 340 | 9424 | 133* | 37.24 | 150.13 | 4 | 69 |
1. AB de Villiers holds the record of scoring the fastest hundred in ODIs (31 balls). He achieved the feat against West Indies in 2015, where he smashed 149 from just 44 balls at an unbelievable strike rate of 338.63.
2. Devilliers has scored a total of nine centuries in 75 deliveries or less in ODIs, which is the most by a player.
3. He also holds the record of smashing the fastest 50 (16 balls), 100 (31), and 150 (64) in ODIs.
4. De Villiers is sixth in the list of all-time run-getters in the IPL with 5,162 runs in 184 matches at an average of 39.70. His strike rate of 151.68 is best among the top 20 run-getters in the tournament.
5. To date, AB de Villiers is the highest run-scorer for South Africa in World Cup history. He has 1,207 runs from 23 matches at a stunning average of 63.52.
6. De Villiers has smashed half-centuries in 12 consecutive Test matches. Only Joe Root has scored as many Test fifties on a trot.
7. The 37-year-old is the leading run-scorer in T20 cricket from South Africa, a total of 9424 runs in 340 matches, with 59 fifties and 4 hundreds.
8. The RCB batsman has won most Player-of-the-Match awards in the Indian Premier League, 25.