AB de Villiers Age and the Story of Mr. 360

AB de Villiers was born on February 17, 1984, making him 42 as of 2026. The former South Africa captain retired from international cricket in May 2018 and is remembered as one of the most inventive batsmen the game has seen.

Quick facts

A multi-sport youngster

De Villiers grew up in Pretoria and excelled across several sports at school, including rugby, golf, tennis, swimming and hockey. He’s often cited as one of those rare athletes who could have gone professional in a handful of sports. He chose cricket, and he made his Test debut in December 2004 against England at Port Elizabeth.

The Mr. 360 reputation

The nickname reflects his ability to hit the ball into any part of the ground, including shots behind the wicket that few batsmen attempt. Fans watched him improvise with the reverse sweep, the scoop over the keeper’s head and shots played while falling over, and his timing brought him records.

One of the best known came in January 2015 at Johannesburg against the West Indies, when he set ODI records for the fastest fifty, hundred and 150, reaching his century off just 31 balls. Those marks became a talking point for years. In Test cricket, his unbeaten 278 against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi in 2010 is often mentioned as an example of the patience he could also show when a match called for it. Across formats he scored roughly 20,000 international runs, with more than 8,700 in Tests and over 9,500 in one-day internationals.

Captaincy and honours

He captained South Africa in limited-overs cricket and was ranked highly in the ICC rankings across formats. He won ICC Cricketer of the Year honours more than once, and he remained a consistent presence at the top of the order. His batting average in both Tests and ODIs sat above 50, a rare feat that places him among the genuine greats of the modern era. Teammates and opponents alike have spoken of him with warmth, and he’s often described as a player who made opponents smile even when he was dismantling their bowling.

IPL and franchise cricket

In the Indian Premier League, he played for Delhi Daredevils and then spent a long period with Royal Challengers Bangalore, becoming a fan favourite there alongside Virat Kohli. His loyalty and showmanship in India helped make him one of the most popular overseas players, and the pairing of De Villiers and Kohli at the crease is a happy memory for RCB supporters. The franchise later honoured him with a place in its hall of fame. He also played in other leagues, including the Big Bash, and he announced his retirement from all cricket in November 2021.

Personal life

De Villiers is married to Danielle, and they live in South Africa. He has spoken about his Christian faith and his love of music, and he has released an album of songs in Afrikaans.

Post-retirement

After retiring he moved into commentary and analysis, and has been a regular voice during high-profile series. He’s popular as a pundit because he can explain how a hard shot is played in a way casual viewers understand, and his social media presence has stayed friendly and often humorous.

What fans ask

The most common question is how old he is, since many fans still think of him as a current player. At 42, he’s been retired from the international game for more than eight years. Followers also ask whether his 31-ball hundred remains the fastest in ODI cricket. It stood as the record for years, though records in the format keep being tested, so check a current record list for the latest. Other questions: why the nickname (the 360-degree range of his shots), which team he captained (South Africa in white-ball cricket) and whether he’d ever return to play (he’s said his playing days are over).

Younger fans meeting him through highlights reels often ask where to begin. The January 2015 innings in Johannesburg is the obvious start, followed by his best IPL knocks for Bangalore, where he cleared the boundary with ease.

Frequently asked questions