From ABD to Superman - An amazing journey in pictures

2007-2011: Entering the senior state

As the World Cup ended, the side mixed youth with experience, and de Villiers, having played a few years of international cricket, was slowly identified as the man for the future. He proved how he was up for the challenge, scoring his first double-century in tough Indian conditions, an unbeaten 217 at Ahmedabad.

De Villiers compiled his first double century against India in 2008

He was in prime nick against Australia, scoring four fifties in nine ODIs versus them during a mini purple-patch in 2009. By then, he had started getting the world's attention, and continued to build his Test resume with centuries against England and Australia, including a century that helped his side chase down 414 in Australia.

He found a purple patch against Australia in 2009

By then, he also found his way into the Indian Premier League and became an instant hit with the crowd in the subcontinent, owing to his quirky strokeplay. He played the first three seasons for the Delhi Daredevils, scoring a century against CSK in 2009.

De Villiers, representing the Delhi Daredevils in 2010

In the lead-up to the 2011 World Cup, de Villiers plugged holes in his batting and got the runs in both Tests and ODIs, including successive one-day centuries against India in 2010, the series where Sachin Tendulkar scored the first double century. He played a combined three T20Is in 2008 and 2011, but scored runs aplenty in Tests, including a 278 against Pakistan in 2010, his best Test score.