Former South African cricketer AB de Villiers led his country’s squad in every version of the game. De Villiers, a well-known batsman of his age, was born in Warmbad, South Africa. From a young age, he played cricket, and he also did well in other activities like golf, rugby, and tennis. He first gained notoriety in April 2008 after becoming the first South African to ever achieve a double century in a match against India. His 217 runs scored to make up the most runs he has ever scored in a lifetime. He also owns many other records, such as the quickest Test century by a South African and the quickest T20 50. He participates in the IPL, a well-known T20 cricket tournament played in India. He presently plays for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL after playing for Delhi Daredevils in the past. He is an accomplished vocalist and guitarist in addition to being a cricket player. His bilingual pop album, “Maak Jou Drome Waar,” was published. He enjoys playing sports and is a devoted fan of Manchester United. De Villiers has also participated in charitable endeavors.
Early Youth & Life
Abraham Benjamin de Villiers was born on February 17, 1984, in Warmbad, a town in South Africa’s Limpopo province. Abraham B. de Villiers is his father, and Millie de Villiers is his mother. The eldest of three siblings, he is young.
Despite being a doctor, his father was very passionate about sports and used to encourage his boys to participate in them. De Villiers attended the Dutch Boys’ High School in Pretoria, South Africa, for his education. He used to be particularly good at cricket as well as football, rugby, swimming, and tennis.
The career of AB de Villiers
Despite having talent in multiple sports, AB de Villiers ultimately decided to focus on a future in cricket. He began representing the Titans in 2003 and, beginning the following year, represented the Carrickfergus Cricket Club in Northern Ireland as an international representative.
He played England in his first test in December 2004. Even though he was only twenty years old, his act received favorable reviews. He also developed a reputation as a superb defender over time.
He gained notoriety after competing in the 2007 World Cup. His achievement in the competition, however, wasn’t particularly noteworthy and even drew criticism. Nevertheless, his squad made it to the semifinals where they were defeated by Australia.
The following year, AB de Villiers became well-known and well-respected after becoming the first South African to ever achieve a double century in a match against India. He was able to score 217 runs while avoiding being out.
He participated in his first test series in Perth, Australia, in 2008–09, where he contributed to his team’s triumph. Additionally, this marked South Africa’s first victory in Australia in 15 years.
His World Cup 2011 achievement was also outstanding. He became the first South African to do so by scoring two hundred during the competition. Despite his outstanding effort, New Zealand defeated South Africa in the quarterfinals.
He was named the One Day International team’s skipper later in 2011. In addition to leading his team to numerous test and ODI wins, AB de Villiers also performed admirably during the 2015 World Cup. He became the South African team’s leading run-maker. His leadership allowed his squad to advance to the semifinals. But just like the previous World Cup, New Zealand once again defeated his squad.
In January 2017, he made the decision to withdraw from the majority of the test matches that South Africa would play that year after leading his team to several wins. He started performing again at the beginning of 2018 and took part in the South Africa-bound Indian tour.
He scored his 22nd test century and led his side to a six-wicket victory in the second game of the ensuing test series against Australia.
While still at the top of his game, AB de Villiers declared his retirement from all forms of international cricket on May 23, 2018.
Recognition & Accomplishments
AB de Villiers has received multiple “Player of the Series” and “Man of the Match” Awards throughout his career.
His career accomplishments include the quickest half-century and century in an ODI, the fastest 150 in an ODI, the most sixes in an ODI, and the fastest player to 9000 runs in an ODI.
He is the first South African to achieve two centuries in a single World Cup and the first to surpass 100 against India.
Personal Living of AB de Villiers
In 2013, AB de Villiers wed Danielle Swart. Abraham, the couple’s only child, was born in 2015.
He is a devoted Believer who has expressed how important his belief in Jesus is to his life and work. He has stated that his favorite literature is the Bible.
His album “Maak Jou Drome Waar” performed well and reached the national music charts; he is also well known for his musical abilities.
He loves playing sports and is a fervent supporter of Manchester United.
Estimated net worth
A net yearly income of $3 million is said to be earned by AB de Villiers. Over the past few years, he has seen a rise in his yearly revenue of about 140 percent.
De Villiers made incredible sums of money through the Indian Premier League in addition to the compensation he received for his services to his national squad. The erstwhile RCB goliath earned INR 1,025,165,000 over the course of his 13-year IPL career, according to Moneyball.
It should therefore come as no great surprise that de Villiers is valued at $21 million, or INR 173 crore. He is rated fourth among the wealthiest South African athletes and among the world’s richest cricketers.
ABD owns personal property valued at USD $6,000,000. He owns a BMW X5, as well as an Audi Q7. He possesses a home in a desirable area of Durban, which is worth about 20 crores.
Trivia
He goes by the moniker Mr. 360 due to his adaptable batting technique.