AB de Villiers retires: ABD's five best knocks in ODI cricket  

In a decision that has sent shock waves over cricketing world, South African cricketer, AB de Villiers has retired from all forms of international cricket with immediate effect.

The talented batsman made his international debut for the Rainbow Nation back in 2004. Since then, he participated in 123 Tests, 228 ODIs, and 78 T20Is for his country, scoring 47 international centuries with his powerful willow.

His majestic strokeplay will definitely be missed in world cricket going forward, especially considering the fact that he was still in prime form, in terms of his batting as well as fielding. The 34-year-old has been an immense servant for South African cricket over the years and the void that he has created in their national team will not be filled easily.

Let us reminisce over the best knocks played by the maestro in ODI cricket:

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#5 South Africa vs Bangladesh, Paarl: 2017

The South African batsman's final ODI century eventually turned out to be his biggest ODI century - if that doesn't say anything about the timeless talent of this superstar, nothing ever will.

Coming in Number four after Faf du Plessis walked back to the pavilion with a duck, de Villiers did what he does the best: he enthralled one and all with his riveting strokeplay, making the Bangladesh bowlers, as well as the assembled audience, gasp for their breaths - albeit, for different reasons.

His incredible innings of 176 off just 104 deliveries was laced with 15 fours and seven sixes, creating a whirlwind of excitement amidst the Proteas fans. He was rightly adjudged Man of the Match for his incredible effort on the day.

"It felt like my first game again," he said after the match.

We all wish it was AB, we all wish it was!

#4 India vs South Africa, Ahmedabad: 2010

It was a sensational effort from the right-hander

After losing the first two ODIs to the hosts in the three-match series, South Africa were vying for a win in the third game to restore some pride by avoiding a whitewash on the tour. Jacques Kallis and De Villiers, two very different batsmen who were the heart of South African cricket in their time, stepped up beautifully for the visitors.

While both scored a century on the day, it was de Villiers who took the Indian attack apart with his masterful and majestic batting on the day. Scoring 102 runs off just 59 deliveries against MS Dhoni and his men, Mr. 360 powered South Africa to a massive total of 365/2 after 50 overs.

Expectedly, it proved to be too much of an ask for the Men in Blue, as they were bowled out for 275 in the second innings of the game. Though Kallis scored 2 runs more than de Villiers, it was the latter who received the Player of the Match award for his blistering and benevolent batting on the day.

#3 South Africa vs West Indies, Sydney: 2015

It was batting of the highest order from Mr. 360

The South African maestro has decided to hang up his boots just one year before the ODI World Cup 2019, which was touted to be his last chance at winning an ICC trophy with his national side.

Instead, the right-handed batsman's last World Cup appearance in 50-over cricket will be Australia 2015, where he entertained fans and rivals alike with his blitzkrieg against the West Indians in the group stage of the tournament.

De Villiers slammed 162 off just 66 deliveries on the day, terrorizing the bowlers with his assertive batting on the day. His knock, which ended with a strike rate of 245.45, included 17 fours and eight massive sixes into the stands of the Sydney Cricket Ground.

#2 India vs South Africa, Mumbai: 2015

He guided South Africa to an ODI series victory on Indian soil

The fifth ODI of the India vs South Africa series back in 2015 was a highly anticipated and hyped game. With the series poised perfectly at two-all, the decider at Mumbai was going to be a cracking contest between two extremely competitive LOI units.

While the hosts were expected to create magic with Dhoni, and Virat Kohli at the helm, it was a certain magician from South Africa who bludgeoned India to defeat on the day. De Villiers not only scored a dominant century on the day, but also showed why he is regarded as one of the most entertaining yet destructive batsmen of the modern era.

Coming in at two-down with a good foundation set by the top order, the right-handed batsmen went berserk from the word go. He took apart the Indian bowling lineup piece by piece, scoring 119 runs off just 61 deliveries in a knock that included just three fours but eleven gigantic sixes.

De Villiers' innings helped South Africa thrash India by an enormous margin of 214 runs. He wasn't given the Man of the Match for that game, but for everyone watching, he most definitely was the man of the moment!

#1 West Indies vs South Africa, Johannesburg: 2015

He wore pink, the day was rosy for his side

If knocks were to be judged over the sheer thrill experienced by the audience and the seamless excellence displayed by the batsman, this innings by De Villiers will be second to none.

149 off 44 deliveries - the numbers seem incomprehensible at the first glance. However, that is exactly what this immensely talented batsman managed against a hapless West Indian attack in Johannesburg more than three years ago.

South Africa were in their symbolic pink jersey, while their captain was in the mood to wreak havoc on the day. And he did.

Coming into at one-down, he bombarded the bowlers with nine fours and 16 sixes, batting with an unimaginable strike rate of 338.63. Three batsmen from his team took guard against the West Indians and all three of them managed to reach three figures.

However, it was the skipper who grabbed all the eyeballs (and the appreciation) at the end of it all, with the immense display of his batting prowess on the day.