AB de Villiers turned 38 on February 17. The former
South Africa batter played some of the most magnificent innings of the 21st
century. His ability to play all around the park and his array of strokes made
him a complete batter for all conditions. The right-handed batter bid farewell
to the game in November 2021 but the impression he created with the willow is unforgettable.

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Here are the five most remarkable innings of his career:

149 vs
West Indies, Johannesburg 2015

This record-shattering innings will always occupy a
special place in the memory of cricket fans. Cladded in pink, De Villiers came
in at No 3 after an opening partnership of 247 between Hashim Amla and Rilee
Rossouw in 38.3 overs. After making a slow but steady start, De
Villiers had smashed 16 sixes and nine fours in a 44-ball stay at the crease –
breaking the record for fastest fifty (16 balls) and hundred (31) in all ODI
cricket.

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133 vs
Mumbai Indians, Mumbai 2015

AB de Villiers is very popular in India because of
his exploits with Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL. Coming in at No 3, De
Villiers dominated a then-record stand of 215 with Indian star Virat Kohli, who
was content to play a relatively subdued supporting role. AB de Villiers’ knock
was studded with 19 fours, which was eye-catching because he only faced 59
balls.

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278 vs
Pakistan, Abu Dhabi 2010

Much before he earned fame in white-ball cricket, De
Villiers held the South African record for the highest individual score in
Tests for just over 18 months. This was a gruelling stay at the crease in that
it showcased all the virtues of classic batsmanship. When De Villiers came in
to bat, his side was struggling at 33/3. He then spent almost 10 hours out in
the middle and combined stout defence with some fluent stroke-play.

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33 vs
Australia, Adelaide 2012

You must be asking why a 33-runs innings featured in
this list of his five remarkable innings. So the context is very important
here. Chasing an academic 430 on a deteriorating pitch, South Africa went into
the final day being reduced to 77/4.

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Yet, in an act of defiance that would inspire the
Test side to pull off similar escapes in future, De Villiers went wholly into
his shell. He faced 220 deliveries in a stay of over four hours, hitting no
boundaries but imbuing a belief that was brilliantly exploited by Faf du
Plessis on debut. They stayed at the crease for 466 minutes and held Australia
onto a draw.

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119
vs India, Mumbai 2015                                 

With a high-octane, tight ODI series tied at
two-all, South Africa batted first on a batting paradise at the Wankhede
Stadium. Quinton de Kock’s century had laid a powerful foundation, allowing De
Villiers to once again just tighten the noose and decimated the hosts’ challenge.

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11 sixes flew off his bat in a 61-ball effort that
guided South Africa to a massive 438/4 and an elusive series win.