The acrobat: AB de Villiers plays a unique stroke during his unbeaten 162 (66b) against West Indies in Sydney, at the 2015 World Cup. It was a typhoon of epic proportions and it blew the Windies away. - GETTY IMAGES ▲
Just a month before his blitzkrieg in the World Cup, de Villiers had scored the fastest century in One-Day Internationals in Johannesburg. Against the same opponent: West Indies. It is a record that stands till date. - REUTERS ▲
De Villiers' personal best of 176 in ODIs was scored against Bangladesh in October, 2017, in Paarl. - GETTY IMAGES ▲
Roar of the lion: De Villiers played another whirlwind innings in Mumbai, in 2015. His 119 were scored in just 61 balls as South Africa obliterated India. - REUTERS ▲
De Villiers raises his bat while walking off the field with team-mate Morne Morkel during tea break on the second day of the second Test between against Pakistan and South Africa in Abu Dhabi, in November, 2010. De Villiers scored an unbeaten 278 during this innings, his career best in Tests. - AP ▲
In April, 2008, de Villiers scored his maiden double century in Test matches in Ahmedabad. It is the only other double ton he scored during his career. De Villiers was player of the match as South Africa won this contest by an innings. - K. R. DEEPAK ▲
De Villiers reacts after reaching three figures during the third Test against Australia in Perth in November, 2012. He ended up scoring 169. In the previous Test, in Adelaide, he dead-batted for an eternity (33 n.o., 220b) to hand South Africa a draw. De Villiers could annihilate bowling attacks with blitzes as well as dogged defence. - AP ▲
De Villiers plays a stroke during the IPL 2021 contest between Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore on April 9, 2021. He scored 313 runs in what turned out to be his final IPL season. - BCCI/IPL ▲
De Villiers raises his bat after scoring a century against Gujarat Lions in IPL 2016. De Villiers scored three centuries in the IPL over 13 years. - K. MURALI KUMAR ▲
De Villiers celebrates with Virat Kohli after scoring a century against Mumbai Indians in May, 2015. The first of his three centuries, however, wasn't in RCB colours. Playing for Delhi Daredevils, he scored an unbeaten 105 off 54 deliveries in IPL 2009. - VIVEK BENDRE ▲
De Villiers, playing for Titans, hits out during a Champions League contest in Ahmedabad against Trinidad & Tobago, in September, 2013. - VIVEK BENDRE ▲
