Happy Birthday AB de Villiers: A look at 4 unbreakable records of 'Mr 360'

AB de Villiers is one of the most explosive batsmen in world cricket. He terrorised any bowling attack in the world while playing for South Africa. At the same time, he continues to do so in the Indian Premier League, while he has turned 37 years old.

<p>When it comes to one of the most prolific hitters of the ball in cricket, numerous names pop into one's mind. While if it's from South Africa, AB de Villiers' name is undoubtedly the first that surfaces.</p>

When it comes to one of the most prolific hitters of the ball in cricket, numerous names pop into one's mind. While if it's from South Africa, AB de Villiers' name is undoubtedly the first that surfaces.

<p>The former South African skipper made a name for himself owing to his hard-hitting abilities that helped South Africa win various big games. Although he could not help his side win a major ICC tournament, he is still a legend.</p>

The former South African skipper made a name for himself owing to his hard-hitting abilities that helped South Africa win various big games. Although he could not help his side win a major ICC tournament, he is still a legend.

<p>Despite his shocking retirement from the national side, he continues to impress his fans in the Indian Premier League, currently playing for Royal Challengers Bangalore. Meanwhile, as he celebrates his 37th birthday, we take a look at some of his unbreakable records from the sport.</p>

Despite his shocking retirement from the national side, he continues to impress his fans in the Indian Premier League, currently playing for Royal Challengers Bangalore. Meanwhile, as he celebrates his 37th birthday, we take a look at some of his unbreakable records from the sport.

<p><strong>Fastest 50, 100 and 150 in ODIs</strong><br />De Villiers' unique ability to hot the ball clean out of the park allowed him to score runs in a flurry. Incidentally, he holds the record of scoring the fastest half-century, ton and 150 in the One-Day Internationals. While his 50 came off just 16 deliveries, his ton happened to be off 31 and the 150 off only 64. Interestingly, he also did it all in the same year, which looks like an impossible feat to match.</p>

Fastest 50, 100 and 150 in ODIs
De Villiers' unique ability to hot the ball clean out of the park allowed him to score runs in a flurry. Incidentally, he holds the record of scoring the fastest half-century, ton and 150 in the One-Day Internationals. While his 50 came off just 16 deliveries, his ton happened to be off 31 and the 150 off only 64. Interestingly, he also did it all in the same year, which looks like an impossible feat to match.

<p><strong>Centuries after 30th over</strong><br />On a couple of occasions, de Villiers smashed a ton after coming to bat following the 30th over. It requires immense mental strength to get going and attain the feat, as the record looks improbable to be broken anytime soon.</p>

Centuries after 30th over
On a couple of occasions, de Villiers smashed a ton after coming to bat following the 30th over. It requires immense mental strength to get going and attain the feat, as the record looks improbable to be broken anytime soon.

<p><strong>Most calendar sixes in ODIs as skipper</strong><br />The year 2015 saw de Villiers in a deadly form, especially in the ODIs. In the entire year, he managed to plunder 58 sixes, and that too as a captain. He holds the record for the same and looks highly remote to be surpassed anytime soon.</p>

Most calendar sixes in ODIs as skipper
The year 2015 saw de Villiers in a deadly form, especially in the ODIs. In the entire year, he managed to plunder 58 sixes, and that too as a captain. He holds the record for the same and looks highly remote to be surpassed anytime soon.

<p><strong>5,000 ODI runs with highest average and strike-rate</strong><br />De Villiers had managed to score 5,000 runs in ODIs by 2015, while he averaged more than 50 and had a strike-rate of more than during the phase. Although other batsmen have come close to an S/R of 90, never has anyone neared 100. It is a highly commendable record and complicated to be attained, while it indeed looks like Mr 360 would have this record with him for some time to come.</p>

5,000 ODI runs with highest average and strike-rate
De Villiers had managed to score 5,000 runs in ODIs by 2015, while he averaged more than 50 and had a strike-rate of more than during the phase. Although other batsmen have come close to an S/R of 90, never has anyone neared 100. It is a highly commendable record and complicated to be attained, while it indeed looks like Mr 360 would have this record with him for some time to come.