JOIN US'Superman' set for super feat
Outrageous, freak, superhuman… These are some of the aliases that are applied to describe AB de Villiers.
Perhaps the most complete batsman ever to have picked a bat, the right-hander will become only the seventh South African batsman to log 100 Test matches on Saturday over a decade-long career that is already the stuff of legends. When Jacques Kallis retired from Tests in Durban in December 2013, only a few hundred fans turned up to accord a rather low-key send-off to one of the greatest cricketers ever to have played the game of cricket.
In that backdrop, it’s perhaps a blessing in disguise that de Villiers will be playing his 100th Test at the M Chinnaswamy stadium where his popularity is rivalled only by the likes of Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni. The chants of ABD will resonate through the stadium when South Africa’s run machine walks out to bat during the course of the second Test, beginning Saturday.
Generally perceived as partisan, the Bengaluru crowd will make an exception for de Villiers for he is one of those rare cricketers who transcend nationalities. The sense of rivalry among fans gets suspended when de Villiers goes about his business, destroying bowlers’ resolve and reputations. The 31-year-old is popular across India but his bond with the Chinnaswamy is a special one thanks to his association with the Royal Challengers Bangalore. And the Bengaluru crowd are sure to make his milestone match extra special though he will be turning up against their beloved Team India.
But then, venues hardly matter for this gifted cricketer. “I've never been very fundamental about these kinds of things,” he said when asked if he was happy to be playing his match in Bengaluru. “I don't care where I play my 100th Test… But I have to add that playing in Bangalore -- the fact that it worked out this way -- is really special for me. I love coming here. But I don't really mind where I play my 100th. I would have been okay with Bangladesh as well,” he reasoned.
Impressive figures
They say a batsman usually reaches his peak in his early 30s but de Villiers’ achievements are already mindboggling. In a career spanning almost 11 years, he has stacked up 7685 runs at an average of 51.92, which is impressive by modern day standards. Add 8403 ODI runs which have come at a staggering average of over 54 and strike rate of over 100 (per 100 balls) in 195 matches, and you know why he is rated the best across formats.
What sets de Villiers apart is his ability to score runs in all climes and conditions and against all kinds of attacks. Whether it’s the turning tracks in the sub-continent or the bouncy surfaces in Australia or the seaming pitches of England, de Villiers has shown he has the game to tame extreme challenges. Few modern day batsmen dominate bowlers like de Villiers does and the comparisons with the great Viv Richards aren’t exaggerated.
“I have watched him play a little bit, some of the highlights, and he was an incredible cricket player,” noted de Villiers when asked how felt about him being compared to Richards. “I don't like to be compared to other players. I never put myself up on the pedestal. I just enjoy the game of cricket. I know I've been playing well this year and I'd love to extend that run of form. But more importantly, I'd like to have an impact on us winning cricket games. I'd like us to win this Test match,” he offered.
A supreme athlete that he is, de Villiers brings more than just his batting to the table. An excellent fielder at any place on the field, a world class stumper, and an ability to run like a gazelle between wickets, the Protean adds a different dynamic to this South African side. His agility comes from the fact that he dabbled in a number of sports – rugby, hockey, football etc -- before settling for cricket.
“All kinds of sports, growing up, shaped me into the cricket player that I am today,” he pointed out. “I don't think I can turn my back on that. I played a lot of ball sports growing up -- a sports crazy family. My parents were never against me playing all kinds of sports. I think my dad would have liked me to be a doctor or to go to university and get a degree behind my name but he'll obviously be happy with where I am at the moment and the career that I've chosen and what I've achieved with my cricket,” he noted.
Cricket would have been a lot poorer if de Villiers’ academic interest had overwhelmed his pull towards this game.
Test career summary
Mat Inns Runs HS Ave SR 100 50
v Australia 20 37 1641 169 48.26 46.96 5 9
v Bangladesh 4 5 69 46 17.25 39.65 0 0
v England 16 27 1183 174 45.50 53.19 2 6
v India 14 24 944 217* 41.04 58.66 3 3
v New Zealand 10 14 546 97 39 60.33 0 5
v Pakistan 12 21 1112 278* 65.41 59.52 4 3
v Sri Lanka 7 12 691 160* 62.81 60.29 1 5
v West Indies 13 21 1347 178 84.18 55.09 6 5
v Zimbabwe 3 3 152 98 50.66 67.55 0 1
TOTAL 99 164 7685 278* 51.92 54.54 21 37
Home 54 87 3887 163 47.98 56.70 12 20
Away 41 71 3217 217* 51.88 51.37 7 16
Neutral 4 6 581 278* 116.20 59.71 2 1