With AB set to return on Monday, we take a look at the top five IPL knocks from Mr 360, AB de Villiers.
1. AB de Villiers smacks the fifth fastest century in IPL history
After Chris Gayle was knocked over for six, AB de Villiers (129 off 52) came in and was forced to bat during the powerplay overs. He raced to a 43-ball ton (10 fours and 12 sixes), which included the highest-ever IPL partnership (229) with Virat Kohli (109 off 54 balls). The knock helped his side post a total of 248-3 and bolstered the Royal Challengers Bangalore to claim a 144-run win over the Gujarat Lions, the largest victory in IPL history.
2. 105*(54) vs Chennai Super Kings, Durban, 2009
In his second tournament, De Villiers announced himself to the IPL world by smashing his first ton of the tournament. He hit 105 off 54 balls against the Chennai Super Kings, despite batting at an unusual No 3 position for the Dehli Daredevils. After having lost their openers with eight runs on the board, AB raced to a 35-ball 50 (one four and two sixes). He topped this by reaching his hundred off just 51 balls (five fours and six sixes) and in the process setting up two key partnerships to remain unbeaten on 105. This included 68 runs with Tillakaratne Dilshan (50) and a 74-run fifth-wicket partnership with Manoj Tiwary, which was enough to see his side claim a nine-run victory. He finished on 105 off 54 balls, which was one of only two centuries scored in IPL 2009.
3. Sets his highest ever T20 score (2015)
A 215-run partnership with Kohli fired RCB to a mammoth score of 234 in 20 overs and this was key to their 39-run victory. After losing to Mumbai Indians earlier in the tournament, De Villiers got his revenge against them by smashing 133 off 59 balls (19 fours and four sixes). He raced to a 29-ball fifty and then reached his century in 47 balls. His final score of 133 not out still remains the third-highest score in IPL history and is De Villiers’ highest ever T20 score.
4. Heroic 89 in iconic chase against Sunrisers Hyderabad (2014 )
With a total of 156 to chase, Gayle had given the RCB a quick start by hitting a 19-ball 27. But after his scalp, wickets kept tumbling, including a duck from Kohli. Coming in at No 5, De Villiers hit one of his best innings and faced 41 balls to reach 89 runs that included eight sixes and six fours to take his team over the line with one ball to spare. His knock saw him smash Proteas teammate Dale Steyn for 24 runs in 9 balls (one four and three sixes). It was a masterclass performance, which saw his teammates contribute just 69 runs to RCB’s 158-run total.
5. AB saves the day (2016)
With a target of 159, a major top-five collapse saw RCB crumble to 29-5 in their qualifier against the Gujarat Lions. A place in the final up for grabs, De Villiers stepped up to the crease and smashed his side to victory, hitting 79 off 47 balls with 10 balls to spare. This was his sixth 50-plus score in the 2016 tournament, the most he has scored in any IPL season.
Photo: Cricinfo/Ron Gaunt/ PL/SPORTZPICS
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