Ab Fan
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AB de Villiers - Appreciation thread
- Thread starter cars112
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Batted excellently today, but... and I am trying to be polite here, he was pretty ineffective when it came to shepherding the tail. It was evident that Starc was going to blow away the tail once the ball started reversing and de Villiers as usual fluffed his lines. He should have farmed the strike as soon as de Kock got out to Lyon.
Abdullah719
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Confirmed! AB’s STAYING in Tests
Cape Town – AB de Villiers, the Proteas’ most brazen and crowd-pleasing batsman across the formats, has been nailed down for further involvement in Test cricket … at least for the period up to the next World Cup in late May next year.
Sport24 has learnt from Cricket South Africa that De Villiers, who was part of an updated list of 18 CSA-contracted players to mid-2019 announced a few days ago, will be available across the board.
But the veteran’s workload will also be managed carefully, meaning that Tests and one-day internationals – both very much his forte statistically – are likely to be prioritised at the expense, more often than not, of Twenty20 internationals.
Although they are invaluable in gate-receipt terms, T20 internationals are widely considered not much more than “nice to haves” on bilateral tours, and the next event of real relevance in that format is not due until 2020: the next ICC World Twenty20 in Australia.
By then, there is every chance that currently 34-year-old De Villiers – along with several other senior members of the present Proteas playing pool – will have quit the international landscape, at the very least.
Nevertheless, it is a fillip for South African fans that the ace, in-form stroke-player will be extending his presence in the time-honoured Test format, along with the always-anticipated situation that he would want another (final) crack at the 50-overs World Cup in England and Wales in the middle of next year.
De Villiers took a much-discussed, lengthy break from the five-day game between January 2016 and December 2017, having been on the general international treadmill since his Test debut against England at St George’s Park back in late 2004.
He has admitted, especially since having become a father, that he was “just tired of playing … I was flat, physically and mentally”.
But he has also enthused more recently that he has felt fresher again, and the evidence has been strongly apparent during the tense, controversial Test series against the Aussies thus far.
He is the leading runs-scorer for either country across the first two Tests, with 225 at an average of 112.50 and just two dismissals – one a run-out.
His absolutely vital second-innings knock of 126 not out in the Port Elizabeth victory was described by long-time former SA skipper Graeme Smith as “one of the great Test innings”.
Some pundits and enthusiasts understandably feared not too long ago that the two major Test series of the home summer, first against India and now the Baggy Greens, might constitute De Villiers’ swansong in the most traditional form of the game.
But it now appears the dashing No 4 is “safe” for all further Test obligations up to mid-2019.
South Africa are scheduled to play three Tests in Sri Lanka in August, and have further series at home to Zimbabwe (that just a once-off Test), Pakistan and then Sri Lanka again in 2018/19.
De Villiers sports 8,563 Test runs from 112 appearances at 50.66 and has played 18 Tests at Newlands, scene of the looming third clash with the Australians, with three centuries at the ground.
That tally includes a memorable knock of 163 against them in March 2009, when he got stuck into luckless Aussie leg-spinning debutant Bryce McGain (0/149 in 18 overs) during the lone required SA innings; McGain never played another Test match.
Especially as they have been debatably stripped of the services of star fast bowler Kagiso Rabada through suspension for Newlands and then the Wanderers, De Villiers will be a critical part of the Proteas’ plans to nose ahead in Cape Town after being 1-0 down early in the series …
https://www.sport24.co.za/Cricket/Proteas/confirmed-abs-staying-in-tests-20180314
Cape Town – AB de Villiers, the Proteas’ most brazen and crowd-pleasing batsman across the formats, has been nailed down for further involvement in Test cricket … at least for the period up to the next World Cup in late May next year.
Sport24 has learnt from Cricket South Africa that De Villiers, who was part of an updated list of 18 CSA-contracted players to mid-2019 announced a few days ago, will be available across the board.
But the veteran’s workload will also be managed carefully, meaning that Tests and one-day internationals – both very much his forte statistically – are likely to be prioritised at the expense, more often than not, of Twenty20 internationals.
Although they are invaluable in gate-receipt terms, T20 internationals are widely considered not much more than “nice to haves” on bilateral tours, and the next event of real relevance in that format is not due until 2020: the next ICC World Twenty20 in Australia.
By then, there is every chance that currently 34-year-old De Villiers – along with several other senior members of the present Proteas playing pool – will have quit the international landscape, at the very least.
Nevertheless, it is a fillip for South African fans that the ace, in-form stroke-player will be extending his presence in the time-honoured Test format, along with the always-anticipated situation that he would want another (final) crack at the 50-overs World Cup in England and Wales in the middle of next year.
De Villiers took a much-discussed, lengthy break from the five-day game between January 2016 and December 2017, having been on the general international treadmill since his Test debut against England at St George’s Park back in late 2004.
He has admitted, especially since having become a father, that he was “just tired of playing … I was flat, physically and mentally”.
But he has also enthused more recently that he has felt fresher again, and the evidence has been strongly apparent during the tense, controversial Test series against the Aussies thus far.
He is the leading runs-scorer for either country across the first two Tests, with 225 at an average of 112.50 and just two dismissals – one a run-out.
His absolutely vital second-innings knock of 126 not out in the Port Elizabeth victory was described by long-time former SA skipper Graeme Smith as “one of the great Test innings”.
Some pundits and enthusiasts understandably feared not too long ago that the two major Test series of the home summer, first against India and now the Baggy Greens, might constitute De Villiers’ swansong in the most traditional form of the game.
But it now appears the dashing No 4 is “safe” for all further Test obligations up to mid-2019.
South Africa are scheduled to play three Tests in Sri Lanka in August, and have further series at home to Zimbabwe (that just a once-off Test), Pakistan and then Sri Lanka again in 2018/19.
De Villiers sports 8,563 Test runs from 112 appearances at 50.66 and has played 18 Tests at Newlands, scene of the looming third clash with the Australians, with three centuries at the ground.
That tally includes a memorable knock of 163 against them in March 2009, when he got stuck into luckless Aussie leg-spinning debutant Bryce McGain (0/149 in 18 overs) during the lone required SA innings; McGain never played another Test match.
Especially as they have been debatably stripped of the services of star fast bowler Kagiso Rabada through suspension for Newlands and then the Wanderers, De Villiers will be a critical part of the Proteas’ plans to nose ahead in Cape Town after being 1-0 down early in the series …
https://www.sport24.co.za/Cricket/Proteas/confirmed-abs-staying-in-tests-20180314
The_Odd_One
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Eggs on the faces of lots of posters who thought he chickened out when Kallis and Smith retired.
Ab Fan
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9 more tests are there for SA before 2019 WC( 11 if we include 2 of this series).
AB should get 9k+ test runs at 49 Avg till he retires. In odis, he can reach close to 11 K test runs but I dont think he will continue after 2019 WC. So, probably 10.5 K runs there also.
AB should get 9k+ test runs at 49 Avg till he retires. In odis, he can reach close to 11 K test runs but I dont think he will continue after 2019 WC. So, probably 10.5 K runs there also.
Mobashir
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He is having a tremendous series with a great knock in the first test and a special one in the second.
Being one of those who didn't rated him in the top bracket test batsmen because of his lack of special innings, I have to say that innings against a top bowling unit of Starc, Hazlewood, Cummins and Lyon was a fantastic one. Don't see any other player playing such a good innings these days.
Being one of those who didn't rated him in the top bracket test batsmen because of his lack of special innings, I have to say that innings against a top bowling unit of Starc, Hazlewood, Cummins and Lyon was a fantastic one. Don't see any other player playing such a good innings these days.
King_Kohli
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Happy birthday to the most talented, versatile and Mr 360 Abraham Benjamin Devilliers...
Ab Fan
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The most gifted batsman in last 30 years:-
1. Sachin Tendulkar
2. AB de Villiers
3. KL Rahul
1. Sachin Tendulkar
2. AB de Villiers
3. KL Rahul
shaz619
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The most over rated batsman in last 30 years:-
1. Sachin Tendulkar - over rated and worshiped by IT community overly, selfish cricketer and serial match loser, crap record under pressure
2. AB de Villiers - mental midget, quit on his country, excellent at pyjama IPL, choked when his country had a massive chance at claiming some gold
3. KL Rahul - Don’t know who this is, probably another bum
Agreed, fair play
Hasan123
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I don't like the way his international career finished. But I will admit he is one of the most talented and entertaining batsmen to play the game of cricket. It would have been nice if he finished his international career on a high.
His ability to play 360 degrees versus pace and spin is ridiculous.
His ability to play 360 degrees versus pace and spin is ridiculous.
HappyWarsFan
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A little overrated in tests but still excellent player.
Kroll
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The most gifted batsman in last 30 years:-
1. Sachin Tendulkar
2. AB de Villiers
3. Umar Akmal
Fixed.
Chrish
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Don’t like the fact he chose to abandon his team to prolong his IPL career.. Will always leave bitter taste behind.
OMB
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'He makes your jaw drop, why don't you send him to open?': Sunil Gavaskar mesmerized by RCB 'genius' AB de Villiers
IPL 2021, DC vs RCB: Sunil Gavaskar said AB de Villiers’ ‘audacious’ shots are ‘jaw dropping’ and he brings so much joy to the viewers that RCB should consider sending him to open the batting, which will allow him to bat 20 overs.
Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar described AB de Villiers’ unbeaten 75-run innings against Delhi Capitals in an IPL 2021 in Ahmedabad on Tuesday as ‘amazing’ and ‘magical’. De Villiers, who became the sixth batsman to score 5000 IPL runs and the only one at a strike rate of more than 150, hit 75 off 42 balls with five sixes and three fours to help RCB post 171 for 5, which turned out to be just enough as DC scored 170 for 4 and lost the match by 1 run.
Gavaskar said de Villiers’ ‘audacious’ shots are ‘jaw dropping’ and he brings so much joy to the viewers.
“It’s amazing. It’s just magical. You can walk around the earth, just to see this man bat because he brings in so much. He gives you so much joy, he makes your jaw drop with the kind of audacity with which he plays some shots,” said Gavaskar on Star Sports after RCB reclaimed the top spot in IPL 2021 points table.
Put in to bat, Bangalore had seemed destined for a moderate score until De Villiers came in with the score of 60 for three.
Helped partly by Rajat Patidar, who made 31, De Villiers produced final over fireworks that changed the game. Kohli said that the South African went "berserk" with his man of the match performance.
De Villiers, who had not played competitive cricket in the five months before the IPL, hit 23 runs off the only over that Marcus Stoinis bowled, with three of his five sixes.
De Villiers said he spends much of the time in the team's pandemic bio bubble working out in his hotel room. "You have to stay fresh," said the 37-year-old.
Calling de Villiers a ‘genius’, Gavaskar said he would love de Villiers to open for RCB as that would allow him to play 20 overs.
“When you see a genius like that, you want to go and just watch him carry on. You want to say to the opposition – ‘Listen, why don’t you send him to open the batting because we can get to see more of him rather than him coming in the 10th or the 11th over. Let’s see 20 overs of ABD’, that’s what I, as a former batsman, always say when I see AB de Villiers in this kind of form,” he said.
Talking about the sixes that de Villiers hit, Gavaskar ramp shot over the third man was his favourite.
“We talk about the big sixes. There was one shot where he just opened the face of the bat and ramped the ball down to the third man. That was an incredible shot because it was hit literally at the last second when he opened the face of the bat,” he added.
https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/sunil-gavaskar-heaps-praise-on-ab-de-villiers-says-he-makes-your-jaw-drop-why-don-t-you-send-him-to-open-after-dc-vs-rcb-ipl-2021-match-101619582052078.html
IPL 2021, DC vs RCB: Sunil Gavaskar said AB de Villiers’ ‘audacious’ shots are ‘jaw dropping’ and he brings so much joy to the viewers that RCB should consider sending him to open the batting, which will allow him to bat 20 overs.
Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar described AB de Villiers’ unbeaten 75-run innings against Delhi Capitals in an IPL 2021 in Ahmedabad on Tuesday as ‘amazing’ and ‘magical’. De Villiers, who became the sixth batsman to score 5000 IPL runs and the only one at a strike rate of more than 150, hit 75 off 42 balls with five sixes and three fours to help RCB post 171 for 5, which turned out to be just enough as DC scored 170 for 4 and lost the match by 1 run.
Gavaskar said de Villiers’ ‘audacious’ shots are ‘jaw dropping’ and he brings so much joy to the viewers.
“It’s amazing. It’s just magical. You can walk around the earth, just to see this man bat because he brings in so much. He gives you so much joy, he makes your jaw drop with the kind of audacity with which he plays some shots,” said Gavaskar on Star Sports after RCB reclaimed the top spot in IPL 2021 points table.
Put in to bat, Bangalore had seemed destined for a moderate score until De Villiers came in with the score of 60 for three.
Helped partly by Rajat Patidar, who made 31, De Villiers produced final over fireworks that changed the game. Kohli said that the South African went "berserk" with his man of the match performance.
De Villiers, who had not played competitive cricket in the five months before the IPL, hit 23 runs off the only over that Marcus Stoinis bowled, with three of his five sixes.
De Villiers said he spends much of the time in the team's pandemic bio bubble working out in his hotel room. "You have to stay fresh," said the 37-year-old.
Calling de Villiers a ‘genius’, Gavaskar said he would love de Villiers to open for RCB as that would allow him to play 20 overs.
“When you see a genius like that, you want to go and just watch him carry on. You want to say to the opposition – ‘Listen, why don’t you send him to open the batting because we can get to see more of him rather than him coming in the 10th or the 11th over. Let’s see 20 overs of ABD’, that’s what I, as a former batsman, always say when I see AB de Villiers in this kind of form,” he said.
Talking about the sixes that de Villiers hit, Gavaskar ramp shot over the third man was his favourite.
“We talk about the big sixes. There was one shot where he just opened the face of the bat and ramped the ball down to the third man. That was an incredible shot because it was hit literally at the last second when he opened the face of the bat,” he added.
https://www.hindustantimes.com/cricket/sunil-gavaskar-heaps-praise-on-ab-de-villiers-says-he-makes-your-jaw-drop-why-don-t-you-send-him-to-open-after-dc-vs-rcb-ipl-2021-match-101619582052078.html
UzmanBeast
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Undoubtedly the greatest modern-day player so far.
The shots, the consistency, the temperament, it's all at levels above and beyond everyone else.
The shots, the consistency, the temperament, it's all at levels above and beyond everyone else.
TheNightWatchman
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Completely false. Kohli will always be better than deVilliers.
Ab Fan
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I will put him behind Kohli, Smith and Sangakkara only among players debuted in this millennium.
In terms of versatility, probably the best I have seen in my lifetime. Didn't saw Viv but don't think even he was as versatile as AB.
In terms of versatility, probably the best I have seen in my lifetime. Didn't saw Viv but don't think even he was as versatile as AB.
OMB
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Cricket: 'AB de Villiers has got a standing ovation as if he was an Indian': Aakash Chopra
Aakash Chopra has said that his most distinctive memory of AB de Villiers is the worship he has gotten from the Indian spectators, similar to the ones got by the most cherished Team India players.
Aakash Chopra has said that his most distinctive memory of AB de Villiers and the worship he has gotten from the Indian spectators, similar to the ones got by the most cherished Team India players.
Mark Boucher as of late uncovered that AB de Villiers has passed on to him that the last will adhere to his prior choice of not representing South Africa again at the global level. He contemplated that he would not like to take the spot of another meriting player.
While talking about AB de Villiers' worldwide vocation in a video shared on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra reviewed the inspiring acclaim the South African has gotten from Indian spectators, like the ones held for any semblance of MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma.
"If we see Indian cricket's immediate span, Dhoni, Kohli, and Rohit are the three players who cause a roar when they enter the ground. I saw a similar standing ovation given to AB de Villiers before the match. It was as if he was an Indian" - he said.
"The kind of love and affection, and the admiration he has generated in Indian hearts. There are a few moments that get etched in your mind, which remain with you forever. This was such a moment which happened to me with regards to AB de Villiers during an India-South Africa match in Dharamsala" - he added.
Aakash Chopra pointed out that AB de Villiers has extraordinary numbers both in Tests and ODI cricket.
"His Test and ODI career numbers are wonderful. He scored 8765 runs in Tests at an average of 50.66. He reached close to ten thousand runs in ODIs, 9577 runs at an even better average of 53.50, and a strike rate above 100. That's phenomenal" - he said.
"But his T20I numbers, he has played 75 matches which are quite a few, but only 1672 runs in that at an average of 26 and a strike rate of 135. He did not hit a century and ten half-centuries. But if you see T20s, there is a difference in chalk and cheese between his T20I and T20 numbers. He is a runaway match-winner in T20s, he was the same player in Tests and ODIs but for whatever reason, his performances for South Africa in T20Is were not that good" - he added.
Aakash Chopra contemplated AB de Villiers probably won't have satisfied hopes in T20I cricket because of the colossal tension on him and the jobs he was allocated to play.
"It could be because the team was not winning and there was a lot of pressure on him but that happens with RCB also where the team does not win but he still does well. A little bit of paralysis by analysis. I remember a World Cup where his team decided that he does well when he comes after 10 overs" - he signed off.
https://www.wionews.com/sports/cricket-ab-de-villiers-has-got-a-standing-ovation-as-if-he-was-an-indian-aakash-chopra-386431
Aakash Chopra has said that his most distinctive memory of AB de Villiers is the worship he has gotten from the Indian spectators, similar to the ones got by the most cherished Team India players.
Aakash Chopra has said that his most distinctive memory of AB de Villiers and the worship he has gotten from the Indian spectators, similar to the ones got by the most cherished Team India players.
Mark Boucher as of late uncovered that AB de Villiers has passed on to him that the last will adhere to his prior choice of not representing South Africa again at the global level. He contemplated that he would not like to take the spot of another meriting player.
While talking about AB de Villiers' worldwide vocation in a video shared on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra reviewed the inspiring acclaim the South African has gotten from Indian spectators, like the ones held for any semblance of MS Dhoni, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma.
"If we see Indian cricket's immediate span, Dhoni, Kohli, and Rohit are the three players who cause a roar when they enter the ground. I saw a similar standing ovation given to AB de Villiers before the match. It was as if he was an Indian" - he said.
"The kind of love and affection, and the admiration he has generated in Indian hearts. There are a few moments that get etched in your mind, which remain with you forever. This was such a moment which happened to me with regards to AB de Villiers during an India-South Africa match in Dharamsala" - he added.
Aakash Chopra pointed out that AB de Villiers has extraordinary numbers both in Tests and ODI cricket.
"His Test and ODI career numbers are wonderful. He scored 8765 runs in Tests at an average of 50.66. He reached close to ten thousand runs in ODIs, 9577 runs at an even better average of 53.50, and a strike rate above 100. That's phenomenal" - he said.
"But his T20I numbers, he has played 75 matches which are quite a few, but only 1672 runs in that at an average of 26 and a strike rate of 135. He did not hit a century and ten half-centuries. But if you see T20s, there is a difference in chalk and cheese between his T20I and T20 numbers. He is a runaway match-winner in T20s, he was the same player in Tests and ODIs but for whatever reason, his performances for South Africa in T20Is were not that good" - he added.
Aakash Chopra contemplated AB de Villiers probably won't have satisfied hopes in T20I cricket because of the colossal tension on him and the jobs he was allocated to play.
"It could be because the team was not winning and there was a lot of pressure on him but that happens with RCB also where the team does not win but he still does well. A little bit of paralysis by analysis. I remember a World Cup where his team decided that he does well when he comes after 10 overs" - he signed off.
https://www.wionews.com/sports/cricket-ab-de-villiers-has-got-a-standing-ovation-as-if-he-was-an-indian-aakash-chopra-386431
Corridor of Uncertainty
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I have all the time for AB's phenomenal batting ability. At one point, he was untouchable.
Can't say the same about his career decision making. All over the place and ultimately hurts his legacy, and his country.
Can't say the same about his career decision making. All over the place and ultimately hurts his legacy, and his country.
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AB DE VILLIERS IN LAST 3 INNINGS IN WCL:-
123(46) vs Australia
116*(51) vs England
63*(30) vs India.
123(46) vs Australia
116*(51) vs England
63*(30) vs India.
BunnyRabbit
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He's smacking every one around. Knowing AB, he'll probably just fail in the final.
Can still easily play in any league in the world. Don't know why he wouldn't.
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