Sun Feb 16 18:30:00 UTC 2025: ## South African Cricket Legend AB de Villiers Celebrates 41st Birthday
**MUMBAI, INDIA –** Former South African captain and cricketing icon Abraham Benjamin de Villiers, affectionately known as AB de Villiers, turned 41 today, February 17th. De Villiers, renowned for his explosive batting style, is celebrated not only in his home country but also enjoys immense popularity in India.
His exceptional talent is evident in his impressive international career statistics: 8765 Test runs at an average of 50.66, including 22 centuries and 46 half-centuries; 9577 ODI runs at an average of 53.50, with 25 centuries and 53 fifties; and 1672 T20I runs. He holds the record for the fastest ODI century (off 31 balls), achieved against the West Indies. His contributions to South Africa included leading the team to the semi-finals of the 2015 Cricket World Cup, where he scored an unbeaten 162 off 66 balls.
De Villiers’s popularity in India is legendary. A memorable anecdote recounted by his close friend Virat Kohli describes a One Day International (ODI) match at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium in 2015, where the crowd chanted “AB! AB!” during de Villiers’ innings, leaving the Indian players surprised. In that match, de Villiers smashed 119 runs off 61 balls, including 11 sixes and three fours, leading South Africa to a resounding victory over India.
After retiring from international cricket in 2018, de Villiers continued to play in the Indian Premier League (IPL) until 2021, representing first the Delhi Daredevils (now Capitals) and then the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), forming a formidable partnership with Kohli. His IPL career boasts 5162 runs at an average of 39.70, including three centuries and 40 half-centuries.
De Villiers’s legacy extends beyond statistics; his electrifying performances and sportsmanship have earned him a global following and cemented his place as one of cricket’s greatest all-around players. His 41st birthday is a fitting occasion to celebrate the remarkable career of this beloved cricketer.
First Piper 