TOP 7 KNOCKS OF AB DE VILLIERS IN FRANCHISE CRICKET

In the 46th match of IPL 2015 between RCB and Mumbai Indians (MI) in Mumbai, De Villiers was in incredible form...

- RENIN WILBEN

South Africa’s batting genius AB de Villiers announced his retirement from all forms of cricket on Friday. The legendary batter had already retired from international cricket a few years back but continued to display his talent in franchise cricket. He was a massive hit in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and one of the biggest stars in the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) batting lineup. In a stunning T20 career, he smashed 9424 runs in 340 matches at an excellent strike rate of 150.13 with four hundreds. In the wake of his decision to quit the sport, we look back at ABD’s standout knocks in franchise cricket.

1.133 NOT OUT VS MUMBAI INDIANS – IPL 2015

In the 46th match of IPL 2015 between RCB and Mumbai Indians (MI) in Mumbai, De Villiers was in incredible form. He faced only 59 balls yet ended up with 133* against his name, spanking 19 fours and four sixes, scoring at a strike rate of 225.42. De Villiers and skipper Virat Kohli (82* off 50) featured in an unbroken second-wicket stand of 215 as the South African, in particular, was unstoppable. The MI bowlers had utterly forgettable figures. Mitchell McClenaghan went for 40 in his four, Jasprit Bumrah was hammered for 52 while Hardik Pandya gave away 51 in only three overs. MI put up a decent performance in the chase but still ended up losing by 39 runs.

2. 105 NOT OUT VS CHENNAI SUPER KINGS – IPL 2009