AB de Villiers: Mr 360 and the Fastest ODI Century

Abraham Benjamin de Villiers played for South Africa from 2004 to 2018 and is regarded as the most innovative batter of the modern era. He scored 8,765 Test runs at an average of 50.66 and 9,577 ODI runs at 53.50. His ability to improvise shots in any direction — behind the wicket, over the off side, into the leg side — earned him the nickname 'Mr 360.'

The Fastest ODI Century

In January 2015, batting against West Indies in Johannesburg, de Villiers scored a century off just 31 balls — the fastest hundred in ODI cricket history. He finished on 149 off 44 balls, including 16 sixes. The innings included ramp shots over fine leg, inside-out drives over extra cover, and scoops over the wicketkeeper — a showcase of every unorthodox shot in the modern batter's repertoire.

Batting Versatility

De Villiers was equally effective as a classical batter in Tests. He could occupy the crease for long periods against quality bowling, but his first scoring option was always to look to dominate. He famously batted at every position from 1 to 7 in ODIs to fit South Africa's team balance. He also kept wicket in the early part of his career before focusing on batting.

Legacy and Retirement

De Villiers retired from international cricket in May 2018, citing fatigue after 14 years at the top. He continued playing in franchise T20 leagues around the world. He was the ICC's ODI Cricketer of the Year in 2010, 2014, and 2015 — the only player to win the award three times. His impact on the evolution of T20 batting is profound, inspiring a generation of batters to play without boundaries.