AB De Villiers: Top 5 ODI scores

The Superman of Cricket, AB de Villiers is one of the most admired cricketers of all-time. He is known for his ability to hit the ball all around the ground and is also called as "Mr. 360" for the same reason. He holds the record for fastest 50,100 and 150 in One Day Internationals and is one of the most innovative batsmen of this era.

De Villiers featured for South Africa in 228 matches and scored 9577 runs at an incredible average of 53.50 including 25 centuries and 53 half-centuries.

He is also the only player to have scored 5000+ ODI runs, averaged 50+ and a strike rate of over 100 in ODIs. This article is dedicated to his batting heroics as we take a look at 5 of highest scoring innings in One Day Cricket.

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#5 134 vs Netherlands, Chandigarh, 2011

The De Villiers-Amla duo took the match away from the Netherlands

In the 2011 Cricket World Cup, after losing the toss and being put to bat first, De Villiers exploded for a quick-fire 134 off 98 accompanied by 13 fours and 3 sixes. The Amla-De Villiers duo added 221 runs for the third wicket, with Amla scoring 113 off 130 balls. South Africa scored 351-5 in 50 overs.

In their chase, Netherlands got all-out for just 120 runs. Imran Tahir was the pick of the bowlers with 3/19 in 6.5 overs. Kallis and Peterson picked up two wickets each while Steyn and Duminy picked up a wicket each.

South Africa won the game by a huge margin of 231 runs and De Villiers won the Man of the Match award for his heroics that put South Africa in a commanding position.

#4 136* vs Australia, Harare, 2014

Du Plessis and De Villiers stitched together a partnership of 207 runs

Australia and South Africa toured Zimbabwe for a triangular series in 2014. Australia beat Zimbabwe in the series-opener at Harare by 198 runs and were up against a very experienced South Africa in the next match.

South Africa won the toss and chose to bowl first. Australia posted a big total of 327-7 in 50 overs, on the back of Finch's 102 off 116 accompanied by 9 fours and a six.

In their reply to Aussies' 327, South Africa lost openers Amla and De Kock in quick succession and were left reeling at 51-2. De Villiers, who then walked in at No.4, went on to play a match-winning knock off 136* off 106 with 11 fours and 2 sixes.

Du Plessis also registered a century, scoring 106 off 98 and the duo stitched together a partnership of 207 runs for the third wicket.

Thanks to the duo of Du Plessis and De Villiers, South Africa chased down the target in just 46.4 overs and De Villiers was adjudged as the Man of the Match.

#3 149 vs West Indies, Johannesburg, 2015

De Villiers scored a ridiculous 149 off 44 balls for world-record

This was probably De Villiers' greatest innings in ODI cricket. The West Indies Cricket team had visited South Africa for a 5-matches ODI series. After a match-winning knock in the first ODI, De Villiers destroyed the Windies bowlers in the 2nd ODI en route to a world record.

West Indies won the toss and chose to bowl first. Openers Amla and Rossouw stitched together a 247-run first wicket partnership. Rossouw was dismissed for 128 off 115 and De Villiers who then walked in, played breathtaking shots and scored his century in just 31 balls.

He went on to score 149 off just 44 balls including 9 fours and 16 sixes at a staggering strike-rate of 338.64. South Africa finished with 439-2 in 50 overs.

West Indies could not do much in their chase and only managed to score 291-7 in 50 overs. De Villiers was awarded the Man of the Match for his world-record innings that crushed West Indies' morale.

#2 162* vs West Indies, SCG, 2015

De Villiers lights up West Indies bowlers with 162

In the 2015 Cricket World Cup, South Africa had lost their second group stage game to India by 130 runs and were looking to make a strong comeback. They were up against West Indies for a Group B showdown.

South Africa won the toss and chose to bat first. Jason Holder struck early in the innings sending back the opener De Kock for just 12 off 19 balls. With Amla and Du Plessis both hitting key half-centuries, the innings was on track but losing two wickets in quick succession meant, South Africa was again in trouble at 146-3.

De Villiers who then walked in at No. 5, destroyed the West Indies bowling attack and scored a monster 162 off 66 balls with 17 fours and 8 sixes. South Africa finished with 408-5 in 50 overs because of De Villiers' ruthless exhibition of exceptional hitting.

West Indies in their reply, got bundled out for just 151 runs. It was Imran Tahir who ripped through the Windies batsmen registering 5/45 in his 10 overs. Kyle Abbott and Morne Morkel both picked up 2 wickets each and Steyn picked up a wicket. It was AB who once again took home the Man of the Match trophy.

#1 176 vs Bangladesh, Boland Park, 2017

De Villiers Smashed 176 for South Africa

Bangladesh had visited South Africa for a 3-matches ODI series in 2017. The hosts won the first game in which openers Amla and De Kock registered centuries. The focus shifted to Boland Park for the second game as the visitors were looking to get back in the series.

South Africa were put in to bat first after losing the toss. After an opening partnership of 90, South Africa lost two wickets without any increase in the score and were in trouble at 90-2.

AB de Villiers who then walked in at No. 4, went on to score his 25th century and scored his career-best 176 off 104 balls accompanied by 15 fours and 7 sixes at a breath-taking strike-rate of 169.23. His heroics lifted South Africa to 353-6 in 50 overs.

In reply, Bangladesh could only make 249 in 47.5 overs before they got bundled out. Andile Phehlukwayo was the pick of the bowlers with 4/40 in his allotted 10 overs. Imran Tahir also came up good with his 50/3 in 10 overs. De Villiers was adjudged the Man of the Match for his quick-fire 176 that set the platform for the bowlers to do their job.