Cricket has evolved tremendously in the recent few decades. Especially, after the introduction of the shorter formats like T20Is and ODIs, batters and bowlers alike have changed their style of playing and keep inventing new ways to impact their performance. Vividly known as Mr. 360, A B Devilliers is one such batter who revolutionized batting in modern- day cricket. Devilliers pioneered an innovative and never-seen-before style of batting in which he would smash bowlers all around the park, earning the title of “Mr 360 Degree”.
In this article, we like to take an elaborate look and find out the many ways by which this South African batter dominated the field of cricket.
Who is Mr 360 in Cricket?
The answer to the question ‘Who is Mr 360 in Cricket’ is AB de Villiers. As one of the greatest cricketers of all time, de Villiers, earned the nickname ‘Mr. 360’ for his unparalleled ability to hit shots all around the ground. Born on 17th February 1984, Abraham Benjamin de Villiers’ unconventional, innovative, and fearless strokeplay would leave bowlers baffled and spectators mesmerized.
Making his international debut in the year 2004, the South African southpaw rose to the ranks for his versatility. As de Villiers could easily shift gears from being an aggressive hitter to a composed classical batter if needed. On top of that, his extraordinary hand-eye coordination and adaptability would make him an agile and dependable fielder, moreover, he was often seen wicket-keeping the stumps using the same skills he attained. Whether it was reverse sweeps off fast bowlers, audacious ramps over the keeper, or traditional cover drives, de Villiers had it all in his arsenal.
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AB de Villiers’s the Mr 360
After making his debut in the early 2000s, AB de Villiers’s most iconic innings came in 2015 when he smashed the fastest-ever ODI century in just 31 balls that to against mighty West Indies. A record that is yet to be broken. However, this wasn’t even the innings that earned him the status of “Mr. 360”, it was 44 ball 149 feat against the same team. This innings of his contained 16 sixes all over the ground, further cementing his status of “Mr 360 Degree”.
De Villiers’ style of batting garnered him immense respect and recognition around the world. But especially in India, the South African cricketer reached the heights with the amount of love he got. To thank him for bringing his revolutionary style of batting in the cash-rich tournament of India, the Indian Premier League, Indian fans, and spectators showered him with tremendous love and admiration. Playing for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL, AB de Villiers’ performances earned him a cult following and one of the most loved cricketers in India.
The ABD Impact on Indian Cricketers
As we by now know how much cricket fans love the Mr. 360 of cricket, especially in India. His impact can be seen even in the youngest budding cricketer, with him/her trying to play innovative shorts like AB de Villiers. Notably, ABD’s long association with RCB, hence, Virat Kohli has also made him further famous. We know the craze of King Kohli in India. Similarly, Indian batters over the years have learned from him and adapted to the revolutionized batting style.
Previously, India had someone like Suresh Raina, who would smash the bowlers around the ground. However, in recent times, Surya Kumar Yadav has earned the status of Mr 360 of India. SKY’s batting genius has made everyone draw parallels between him and AB de Villiers. For his unique range of shots, including scoops, ramps, and reverse sweeps, experts and fans alike call him the Mr. 360 Degree of Indian Cricket.
As time passes by and the love for cricket increases day by day, players like AB de Villiers and Surya Kumar Yadav will always be thanked for going out of the box and playing an unorthodox brand of cricket. As ABD laid the foundation for SKY to come and dominate the T20 circuit, SKY led players like Abhishek Sharma to come and play fearlessly on the biggest levels.