IPL Stats: Top 4 records by AB de Villiers in IPL history

Shreyas
ABD is one of the most loved IPL players and has broken or set many IPL records
ABD is one of the most loved IPL players and has broken or set many IPL records

One of the beacons of the IPL and cricket worldwide, AB de Villiers is one player who is loved by everyone wherever he plays. Someone who lives and plays by the true spirit of the game, De Villiers' 360-degree range of shots can overcome any possible variation from the bowler.

Apart from being a terrific batsman, ABD is also a fantastic fielder and a great athlete. He has played many memorable knocks in the IPL and has hit several huge sixes, even sending a few literally out of the stadium.

Considering De Villiers' abilities, he's bound to have pushed a few names down the record books over the years. Let's take a look at 4 records held by him in the IPL.


#4 Two highest partnerships for any wicket

Kohli and ABD
Kohli and ABD

De Villiers is a team player and has formed a special bond with Indian captain Virat Kohli as the duo play together for Royal Challengers Bangalore. The South African complements his partners very well, and also is very quick between the wickets.

He has been involved in the two highest run-yielding partnerships in IPL history. And both of the two partnerships were with Kohli.

The biggest one was against the Gujarat Lions in IPL 2016 when the duo put on a 229-run stand after opener Chris Gayle was cleaned up by Dhawal Kulkarni. Kohli and ABD made the Gujarat bowlers dance to their tunes, as no bowler other than Ravindra Jadeja could escape unscathed.

De Villiers struck 12 sixes and 10 fours on the way to his 129 runs off 52 balls, at a strike-rate of 248.07. Kohli meanwhile scored 109 off 55 balls and was dismissed when the team's score was 248/1.

Gujarat came nowhere near the target of 249 and a Chris Jordan special ensured that they were bundled out for 104, breaking the record for the highest margin of victory.

The second one came against Mumbai in IPL 2015 where ABD scored 133 off 59 balls while Kohli scored 82 off 50 balls. The unbeaten partnership of 215 runs took the match away from Mumbai as RCB posted a gigantic total of 235 on the board.

Mumbai gave a tough fight led by Lendl Simmons but fell 39 runs short.

#3 Highest partnership for 2nd wicket as well as 4th wicket

Yuvraj Singh and AB De Villiers built a solid partnership to rescue RCB
Yuvraj Singh and AB De Villiers built a solid partnership to rescue RCB

AB De Villiers holds yet another record: he's the only player to feature in more than one highest partnership by wicket.

As seen in the previous slide, he was involved in the highest second wicket partnership with Virat Kohli in the massive 229-run stand against Gujarat Lions. But he was also part of the highest 4th wicket partnership, which he shared with Yuvraj Singh against Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2014.

After losing skipper Virat Kohli, opener Chris Gayle and Vijay Zol when the team's score was 40, the two experienced batsmen seized control and built a solid partnership. De Villiers scored 58 off 32 balls while Yuvi sizzled with a 38-ball 83.

Yuvraj was dismissed by Kane Richardson when the team's score was 172, breaking the 132-run stand. ABD was dismissed in the last over by James Faulkner.

Yuvraj starred with the ball as well and picked up 4 wickets in his 4 overs conceding 35 runs, but RCB suffered a shock loss as Steve Smith and James Faulkner smashed 65 runs off the last 23 balls to win the game with a ball to spare.

#2 Most appearances for an overseas player

ABD has played some outrageous shots in his long-lasting IPL career
ABD has played some outrageous shots in his long-lasting IPL career

AB De Villiers has been a very consistent IPL player and has the highest batting average at the Chinnaswamy Stadium for someone who has played more than 10 matches. De Villiers is also the 10th highest run scorer in IPL history with 3953 runs averaging a solid 39.54 and a devastating strike rate of 150.93.

Another stat which highlights his consistency is the fact that he's the overseas player to have made the most appearances in the history of the IPL. It's very obvious that Indian players will hold an edge in this stat but De Villiers has always been a fit player and has rarely missed a match due to injury or poor form.

De Villiers has made 141 appearances and beats Kieron Pollard, who is in second place with 132 appearances. As IPL 2019 comes around, the South African is likely to put even more distance between himself and the rest in this area.

#1 Most catches in a single season (non-wicketkeeper)

De Villiers took one of the best catches in IPL 2018
De Villiers took one of the best catches in IPL 2018

AB De Villiers has taken some of the most stunning catches in IPL history, and his commitment to the game is illustrated by his high level of ground fielding.

In the 2016 season, he beat David Miller's record of most catches in an IPL season (14) as he took a whopping 19 catches in 16 games. He was rightfully awarded the Best Fielder for his exploits, and he was no slouch with the bat either that season.

He scored 687 runs in 16 matches averaging a brilliant 52.84 at a fabulous strike-rate of 168.79. He also hit 37 sixes and was one six short of beating Kohli (38) to the Maximum Sixes award.

Though his efforts were overshadowed by a brilliant Kohli in that particular case, ABD has always lived in a league of his own. And the more he plays in the IPL, the more records he will break.

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Edited by Musab Abid