AB de Villiers became famous for playing shots that seemed impossible. Born in Pretoria, South Africa, he turned cricket into an art form. His nickname “Mr. 360” came from his ability to hit the ball in every direction around the ground. During his 14-year international career, he broke records and won hearts across the globe. Interestingly, De Villiers is the most followed South African on social media platform Instagram. He has a massive fanbase in India that can rival the likes of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.
Biography
| Personal Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Abraham Benjamin de Villiers |
| Nickname | Mr. 360, ABD |
| Date of Birth | 17 February 1984 |
| Age | 41 years old |
| Height | 5 feet 10 inches (1.78 m) |
| Weight | 82 KG |
| Birthplace | Pretoria, Transvaal Province, South Africa |
| Education | Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool, Pretoria |
| Batting Style | Right-handed |
| Bowling Style | Right arm medium |
| Role | Wicket-keeper-batter |
| Jersey Number | 17 |
Height, Age, and Physical Stats
Standing at 5 feet 10 inches tall, AB de Villiers has the perfect build for a cricket player. At 82 kilograms, his weight gives him the right balance between power and agility. Now 41 years old, he was born on 17 February 1984 in Pretoria, South Africa.
His height and weight helped him become one of the most athletic cricketers ever. Whether he was diving behind the stumps as a wicket-keeper, patrolling the boundary ropes in limited overs cricket or running between the wickets, his physical fitness was always top-notch.
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Education Background
AB de Villiers went to Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool in Pretoria. This is the same school where his good friend and teammate Faf du Plessis studied. The two players became close friends during their school days and this friendship continued throughout their cricket careers.
Being a high school graduate, AB showed that you don’t need fancy degrees to succeed in sports. His natural talent and hard work mattered more than classroom achievements.
International Debut and Jersey Number
Test Cricket Debut
AB de Villiers made his Test debut on 17 December 2004 against England. He was just 20 years old when he got his first Test cap (number 296). His last Test match was on 30 March 2018 against Australia.
ODI Career
His ODI debut came on 2 February 2005 against England. He wore cap number 78 for South Africa. His final ODI was on 16 February 2018 against India.
T20I Journey
The T20I debut happened on 24 February 2006 against Australia, where he got cap number 20. His last T20I was on 29 October 2017 against Bangladesh.
Throughout his international career, AB de Villiers always wore jersey number 17. This number became special for cricket fans around the world.
International Career Stats
AB de Villiers’ numbers speak louder than words. Let’s look at his incredible stats:
| Format | Matches | Runs | Average | Strike Rate | Centuries | Fifties | Highest Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 114 | 8,765 | 50.66 | 54.53 | 22 | 46 | 278* |
| ODI | 228 | 9,577 | 53.50 | 101.10 | 25 | 53 | 176 |
| T20I | 78 | 1,672 | 26.12 | 135.17 | 0 | 10 | 79* |
His Test average of 50.66 puts him among the greatest batsmen ever. Even more impressive is his ODI average of 53.50, which is incredible for someone who often batted in the middle order.
Teams He Played For
AB de Villiers played for many teams during his career:
Domestic Teams
- Northerns (2003/04-2016/17)
- Titans (2003/04-2017/18)
International Leagues
- Delhi Daredevils (2008-2010) – IPL
- Royal Challengers Bangalore (2011-2021) – IPL
- Barbados Tridents (2016) – CPL
- Tshwane Spartans (2018-2019) – Mzansi Super League
- Rangpur Riders (2019) – BPL
- Lahore Qalandars (2019) – PSL
- Middlesex (2019) – County Cricket
- Brisbane Heat (2019/20) – BBL
Everywhere he went, he wore jersey number 17, making it his signature number.
IPL Salary and Earnings
AB de Villiers made serious money in the IPL. Here’s how much he earned:
Complete IPL Salary Breakdown
| Year | Team | Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Delhi Daredevils | ₹1.20 Crore |
| 2009 | Delhi Daredevils | ₹1.47 Crore |
| 2010 | Delhi Daredevils | ₹1.39 Crore |
| 2011 | Royal Challengers Bangalore | ₹5.06 Crore |
| 2012 | Royal Challengers Bangalore | ₹5.53 Crore |
| 2013 | Royal Challengers Bangalore | ₹5.86 Crore |
| 2014-2015 | Royal Challengers Bangalore | ₹9.50 Crore each |
| 2016-2017 | Royal Challengers Bangalore | ₹9.50 Crore each |
| 2018-2021 | Royal Challengers Bangalore | ₹11.00 Crore each |
Total IPL earnings: ₹102.52 Crore
This makes him one of the highest-paid cricketers in IPL history. Royal Challengers Bangalore kept increasing his salary because he was worth every penny.
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Net Worth and Lifestyle
AB de Villiers has a net worth of around $25 million, which equals approximately ₹209 crore. This wealth comes from his cricket career, endorsements, and smart investments.
His Dream House
In 2012, AB bought a luxury house in Durban worth ₹20 crore. This isn’t just any house – it’s a mansion with:
- Multiple bedrooms
- A large personal gym
- Spacious gardens
- During lockdown, he even tried making a mini-golf course in his garden
Car Collection
AB de Villiers loves cars and owns some amazing vehicles:
| Car Model | Price |
|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz A-Class | ₹43.58 lakh |
| Audi Q7 | ₹89.9 lakh |
| BMW X5 (2 cars) | ₹95.9 lakh each |
| Lexus RX | ₹1.09 crore |
| Land Rover Range Rover Autobiography | ₹4.38 crore |
The Range Rover Autobiography is the crown jewel of his collection, costing more than what many people earn in their lifetime.
Records and Awards
AB de Villiers holds many records:
- Fastest ODI century (31 balls) – a record that still stands
- Fastest 50, 100, and 150 in ODI cricket at different times
- Most runs in a calendar year for South Africa in ODIs
- Multiple ICC awards including ODI Player of the Year
His ability to score quickly while maintaining a high average made him special. Other players hit hard, but few could do it as consistently as AB.
Life After Cricket
Since retiring from international cricket in 2018, AB has stayed connected to the game. He played in various T20 leagues and became a mentor for young players. His experience helps upcoming cricketers learn the modern game.
He also focuses on his family life and business ventures. His social media shows him spending quality time with his children and wife, proving that success isn’t just about money and fame. De Villiers is currently playing the World Championship of Legends in 2025. He is the captain of South Africa Champions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is AB de Villiers’ height in feet?
AB de Villiers is 5 feet 10 inches tall (1.78 meters).
2. How old is AB de Villiers?
AB de Villiers is 41 years old, born on 17 February 1984.
3. What is AB de Villiers’ weight?
He weighs 82 kilograms.
4. Where did AB de Villiers get his education?
He studied at Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool in Pretoria, South Africa.
5. When did AB de Villiers make his debut?
His Test debut was on 17 December 2004 against England.
6. What is AB de Villiers’ jersey number?
He always wore jersey number 17 throughout his career.
7. What are AB de Villiers’ career stats?
He scored 8,765 Test runs (average 50.66) and 9,577 ODI runs (average 53.50).
8. Which teams did AB de Villiers play for?
Major teams include South Africa, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Delhi Daredevils, and several other franchises.
9. How much was AB de Villiers’ IPL salary?
His total IPL earnings were ₹102.52 crore over his career.
10. What is AB de Villiers’ net worth?
His net worth is approximately $25 million (₹209 crore).
11. Where is AB de Villiers’ house?
He owns a luxury house in Durban worth ₹20 crore.
12. What cars does AB de Villiers own?
His collection includes Range Rover Autobiography (₹4.38 crore), BMW X5, Audi Q7, and others.
13. What records does AB de Villiers hold?
He holds the record for fastest ODI century (31 balls) among many others.
14. What awards has AB de Villiers won?
He has won multiple ICC awards including ODI Player of the Year.
15. What is AB de Villiers’ complete biography summary?
Born in Pretoria in 1984, he became one of cricket’s greatest batters with innovative shots, high averages, and massive wealth from his successful career.