AB de Villiers Reveals His Top 5 Favorite ODI Batters – Find Out Who Made the List!
AB de Villiers, one of the greatest cricketers, recently shared his top five favorite ODI batters of all time. The former South African captain, who scored nearly 10,000 runs in ODIs at an incredible average of 53.50, has played with and against some of the best cricketers in history. His list includes legendary players from India, Australia, and South Africa.
- Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni are among AB de Villiers’ favorites.
- The list includes three Indian players, one Australian, and one South African.
- Sachin Tendulkar, Jacques Kallis, and Ricky Ponting complete the top five.
- De Villiers has always praised Dhoni as the best finisher in cricket.
AB de Villiers’ Top 5 ODI Batters
AB DE VILLIERS PICKS HIS TOP 5 ODI BATTERS OF ALL-TIME:
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) March 6, 2025
– MS Dhoni
– Virat Kohli
– Sachin Tendulkar
– Ricky Ponting
– Jacques Kallis pic.twitter.com/NFMyyQHU5e
1. Virat Kohli
AB de Villiers played with Virat Kohli for nearly a decade in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Kohli’s ability to chase down targets, score centuries under pressure, and dominate bowlers makes him a modern-day legend. With over 13,000 ODI runs, he continues to be a batting powerhouse.
2. MS Dhoni
Known as Captain Cool, MS Dhoni is widely regarded as one of the greatest finishers in ODI history. His calmness under pressure and match-winning knocks have earned him respect worldwide. Dhoni led India to victories in the 2007 T20 World Cup, 2011 ODI World Cup, and 2013 Champions Trophy.
3. Sachin Tendulkar
No list of great batters is complete without Sachin Tendulkar. The God of Cricket scored 18,426 ODI runs, including 49 centuries. His technique, ability to play on any pitch, and hunger for runs made him a nightmare for bowlers.
4. Jacques Kallis
South African legend Jacques Kallis was not just a great batter but also a phenomenal all-rounder. He scored 11,579 runs in ODIs while also taking 273 wickets. His consistency and ability to play both attacking and defensive cricket made him one of the most reliable players.
5. Ricky Ponting
Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting was a match-winner in every sense. With 13,704 ODI runs, including 30 centuries, he led Australia to three ODI World Cup victories. His aggressive batting and leadership skills made him one of the most successful captains in cricket history.
AB de Villiers’ Admiration for Dhoni and Kohli
AB de Villiers has always praised MS Dhoni and Virat Kohli. In 2023, he called Dhoni the best finisher in cricket. He also frequently congratulates Kohli on major milestones, reflecting the strong bond they share from their Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) days.
AB de Villiers’ Career Stats
Abraham Benjamin de Villiers, commonly known as AB de Villiers, is a former South African cricketer renowned for his versatility and innovative batting style. Below is a summary of his career statistics across various formats:
Batting Statistics:
| Format | Matches | Innings | Runs | Highest Score | Average | Strike Rate | 100s | 50s | Catches |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 114 | 191 | 8,765 | 278* | 50.66 | 54.52 | 22 | 46 | 222 |
| ODI | 228 | 218 | 9,577 | 176 | 53.50 | 101.09 | 25 | 53 | 176 |
| T20I | 78 | 75 | 1,672 | 79* | 26.12 | 135.16 | 0 | 10 | 65 |
| First-Class | 141 | 228 | 10,689 | 278* | 49.71 | N/A | 25 | 60 | 275 |
Bowling Statistics:
| Format | Deliveries | Wickets | Best Bowling | Average | Economy Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 204 | 2 | 2/49 | 52.00 | 5.11 |
| ODI | 192 | 7 | 2/15 | 28.85 | 5.04 |
| T20I | – | – | – | – | – |
| First-Class | 234 | 2 | 2/49 | 69.00 | N/A |
Notable Records and Achievements:
- Holds the record for the fastest ODI century, reaching 100 runs off just 31 balls against the West Indies in January 2015.
- Recorded the fastest ODI half-century, achieving 50 runs off 16 balls in the same match.
- Scored 47 international centuries: 22 in Tests and 25 in ODIs.
- Achieved his highest Test score of 278* against Pakistan, marking the second-highest individual score by a South African batsman.
De Villiers’ career spanned from 2004 to 2018, during which he served as the captain of the South African national team between 2012 and 2017. His innovative batting techniques and ability to adapt across all formats have earned him recognition as one of the most talented cricketers of his generation.
AB de Villiers’ list of favorite ODI batters includes some of the most legendary names in cricket. Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni, Sachin Tendulkar, Jacques Kallis, and Ricky Ponting have all made history with their batting performances. De Villiers himself remains an icon in cricket, admired for his explosive batting and incredible consistency.