Arguably the greatest batsman in world cricket today, AB de Villiers never seems to stop showing his class with the bat. The protean star has shown over the years how lethal yet beautiful a batsman he is in all formats of the game. De Villiers is not just another batsman, he is a complete package. He can defend, he can attack and he can hit and smash bowlers in all directions.
Today AB De Villiers did something no batsman has ever done in cricket history, nor will most probably ever be able to do. AB De Villiers has slaughtered the West Indies bowlers with an unreal 149 runs massacre off just 44 deliveries. As incredible as it does sound, is that surely the greatest One Day International innings by any batsman in cricket history? Only AB De Villiers could pull off such a spectacle.
Not only has the protean monster broken the record for the fastest ODI century ever, he has also helped South Africa to their highest ever first innings ODI total of 439 after 50 overs, and that too with just 2 wickets lost.
If theres any batsman in the history of cricket worthy to be referred to as inhuman and unreal, it’s AB de Villiers. This batsman is just out of this planet.
It did turn out to be a disastrous decision by Jason Holder to allow the South Africans to bat first. The proteans changed their kits in support for breast cancer, and the great AB De Villiers seemed to have laid forth the perfect tribute for all women suffering from the tragic disease.
There have been great knocks in the 50 over format by many a batsmen over the years, including Rohit Sharma’s 200 last year. But there has never been an innings quite like the one put on display by the super hero from South Africa, AB De Villiers.
Out of the 44 deliveries he faced for his 149, De Villiers hit a total of 25 boundaries that included a massive total of 16 sixes and 9 fours. That is probably something we will never ever witness in a One Day International ever again. West Indies have a mountain to climb with a target of 440 in 50 overs. One can say this deserves to be De Villiers’ day after his historic performance, but the West Indians can never be underestimated, having possessed the likes of some incredible hitters themselves like Chris Gayle and company.
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