AB de Villiers is undoubtedly one of the finest batsmen to play in the Indian Premier League. His 170 IPL innings have produced 5162 runs at a brilliant average of 39.71. His incredible strike rate of 151.69 tells about his dominance in the league. In his 14-year IPL career, he has played dozens of match-winning knocks. Here, we will discuss the top 10 IPL innings of the South African.
So, let’s get on with it.
1. 79 off 47 vs. Gujarat Lions in IPL 2016
It was the first qualifier of the 2016 edition of the cash-rich league. Gujarat batted first, but they were bowled out for just 158. The target didn’t seem like a tough ask for a strong RCB batting lineup. But the first 5 wickets of the chasing side fell for just 29. Virat Kohli, Chris Gayle, KL Rahul, Shane Watson, and Sachin Baby were all back in the dugout.
Stuart Binny accompanied de Villiers for a 39-run partnership. But at his dismissal, Bangalore required 91 more runs in 62 balls. ABD made light work of this equation with an extraordinary batting performance. He hammered 5 fours and as many sixes in 47 balls to score 79 runs. The Royal Challengers Bangalore got a 4-wicket win with 10 balls to spare and advanced to the final.
2. 129* off 52 vs. Gujarat Lions in IPL 2016
Batting first, RCB lost their first wicket at the score of 19. It brought AB de Villiers to the crease. He and Virat Kohli combined for a spectacular partnership of 229 runs in only 16 overs. The South African played the most memorable innings of his IPL career as he hit 129* off just 52. He bunted 10 fours and 12 sixes in this great exhibition. The Royal Challengers posted a gigantic total of 248 runs on the board and eased to a 144-run win.
3. 75 off 42 vs. Delhi Capitals In IPL 2021
The Royal Challengers Bangalore got the opportunity to bat first. The start wasn’t good as they lost 3 wickets for just 60 runs in 8.3 overs. Having lost Virat Kohli, Devdutt Padikkal, and Glenn Maxwell, RCB needed a partnership. AB de Villiers formed a 54-run stand with Rajat Patidar to steady the ship. After the partnership was broken, he took control of the innings and powered his side to 171 for 5. His 42-ball innings brought 75 runs along with 3 fours and 5 sixes. Delhi Capitals got in touching distance with the total, but Bangalore sneaked a 1-run win.
4. 55 off 24 vs. Mumbai Indians in IPL 2020
The Royal Challengers Bangalore got off to a strong start while batting first. The openers Devdutt Padikkal and Aaron Finch made fifties. The batting side lost its 2nd wicket at the score of 92 in the 13th over. ABD walked out to bat at #4 and played a match-defining innings of 55 runs in just 24 balls. He hit 4 fours and as many sixes in his knock and stayed unbeaten. Bangalore set Mumbai a target of 202 runs in 20 overs. A couple of astonishing batting performances from Ishan Kishan and Kieron Pollard took the game to the super over. The South African picked a boundary in the super-over to win the game for his team.
5. 55 off 22 vs. Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2020
Bangalore required 178 runs in their 20 overs. The openers, Devdutt Padikkal and Aaron Finch had a struggling outing with the bat. They scored 35(37) and 14(11), respectively. The Protea was yet to face his first delivery when Royal Challengers needed 76 off 41 with 7 wickets in hand. He single-handedly carried his side over the line with a 55-run knock. He faced just 22 balls and hammered 6 maximums along with a four. He stayed there till the end as his team won with 2 balls left in the chase.
6. 82* off 44 vs. Kings XI Punjab in IPL 2019
Bangalore was batting first, and de Villiers batted at #3. His whirlwind knock of 82 runs in just 44 deliveries powered his team to 202 for 4 in 20 overs. His innings had 7 maximums and 3 boundaries in it. In response, Kings XI Punjab could only get to 185 for 7 at the end of their batting innings.
7. 89 off 41 vs. Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2014
Bangalore were chasing a moderate total of 156 runs against Hyderabad. They were struggling at 38 for 3 when AB de Villiers arrived at the crease. The trouble increased as the 4th wicket fell at the score of 59 in the 11th over. Yuvraj Singh was the 5th man to be dismissed in the innings. At his departure, the target was 61 off 33. The South African was the lone warrior for the Royal Challengers as he took the game deep.
The last 2 overs needed to go for 28, and Dale Steyn was bowling the penultimate over. Mr 360 started the over by hitting 2 sixes off 2 balls. The over finished the same way as ABD picked 24 runs from it. With 2 runs needed in 2 balls, he whacked a boundary to seal the deal. His incredible batting show brought 89 runs in just 41 balls, along with 6 fours and 8 sixes.
8. 41 off 11 vs. Mumbai Indians in IPL 2015
This one is certainly his best IPL innings in a losing cause. While chasing a huge target of 210 runs, RCB were 62 for 3 in 10.3 overs. The contest seemed done and dusted for them before de Villiers exhibited his class. His whirlwind innings of 41 runs took only 11 balls and included 5 fours and 3 sixes. Thanks to this superb performance, Bangalore smashed 129 runs in the last 57 balls. However, it was still not enough for a win.
9. 47* off 17 vs. Deccan Chargers in IPL 2012
Deccan Chargers asked the Royal Challengers Bangalore to chase 182 runs. The South African walked out to bat when the score was 106 for 3. The 4th wicket fell soon, and the equation became 65 off 28. The next 10 balls went for 26, and RCB were still in the game. AB de Villiers took Dale Steyn for 23 runs in the 18th over to change the complexion of the game. He then struck a boundary and a maximum in the next over to kill the chase. He hit 5 fours and 3 sixes in his 17-ball stay. His magical knock of 47 runs led Bangalore to a 5-wicket victory with 7 balls to spare.
10. 90* off 39 vs. Delhi Daredevils in IPL 2018
In pursuit of a 175-run chase, the Royal Challengers were in a spot of bother at 29 for 2 in 4.3 overs. Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers combined for a partnership of 63 runs before Kohli departed for 30(26). But Mr 360 kept going and took his side home with an astonishing batting effort of 90* off 39. He plundered 5 sixes and 10 fours during his stay at the crease. RCB got an easy win with 2 overs still left in the match.
