Legendary batsman for the South African national cricket team, AB de Villiers, who had a hugely successful season with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the Indian Premier League (IPL), has stated that he feels very honored and privileged to have started the 360 degree game in cricket.
Abraham Benjamin de Villiers was a dangerous batsman, who used to scare the opposition bowlers with his incredible stroke play, as he had the ability to play the shots all over the park. His spectacular ability to hit unconventional shots anywhere on the pitch earned him the nickname Mr 360-degree.
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AB de Villiers was one of the cricket pundits hired by Jio Cinema during the 2023 Indian Premier League (IPL). During an interaction on the platform, AB de Villiers was asked by a Twitter user how much he enjoys being called Mr. 360- degree.
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The 39-year-old replied that he had no plans to become a 360-degree cricketer and it all happened naturally. He added that it is a privilege for him to have started the 360 degree game.
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“It was never part of the plan, that’s for sure, but obviously it’s a great privilege and honor to have started that,” said AB de Villiers on Jio Cinema ahead of the 2023 Indian Premier League (IPL) final between Chennai Super Kings and Gujarat. titans
AB de Villiers played international cricket for South Africa between 2004 and 2018. He represented the Proteas in 114 Tests, 228 ODIs and 78 T20Is, before announcing a shock retirement from international cricket on 23 May 2018, just one year to go before the 2019 World Cup.
Players like Suryakumar Yadav can do this now: AB de Villiers on 360-degree play
AB de Villiers further said that there are some current cricketers like India’s Suryakumar Yadav, who are fully capable of playing the 360-degree game. Notably, No.1 T20I batsman Suryakumar Yadav has been labeled India’s Mr. 360 for his unorthodox big-hitting abilities.
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“I think there are quite a few others who can do this now. I think of SKY, he is no longer part of the Tournament, but there is a lot of talent out there. So obviously it’s a great honor,” she said.
When the host asked if it was part of his evolution to become a 360 degree cricketer. He answered:
“Look from a very young age, I always wanted to push the boundaries. So I was always going to try things. He didn’t know it was going to end like this.”
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In the Indian Premier League (IPL), AB de Villiers played for the Delhi-based franchise from 2008 to 2010, before joining Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). He played 184 matches in the marquee T20 league and scored 5162 runs at an average of 39.71 and a strike rate of 151.69, his best score being 133*. AB de Villiers also hit 3 tons and 40 half centuries in the tournament.
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