Video: Standing ovation for AB de Villiers as he walks out to bat in his 100th Test
AB de Villiers was given a fantastic welcome by the Bangalore crowd as he walked out to play in his 100th Test in the second Test of the Freedom Series against India on Saturday.
De Villiers becomes only the seventh South African player to cross the 100 Test mark and the only current player to have achieved that landmark.
In the build-up to the game, AB said: “I’d like us to win this Test. That’s the only focus I have at the moment. I know it's my 100th Test match. My current form ... people are comparing me to other players, but all I really want is for us to win games of cricket.”
While AB wanted to keep all the focus on the team and on winning the Test and levelling the series, his supporters at his adopted home of Bangalore ensured that he was fully aware of his milestone match as he walked out to bat at the fall of captain Hashim Amla’s wicket.
(Video Credit: Indian Cricket Team Facebook)
Test number 100 for AB, Bengaluru was at its feet to honour the super batsman #IndvsSA
Posted by Indian Cricket Team on Friday, 13 November 2015
While fondly called “Mr.360” and arguably the most destructive player in the shorter formats of the game, AB’s numbers as a Test batsman aren’t too shabby either. Not only is he South Africa’s third-highest run-scorer in Tests, behind Jacques Kallis and Graeme Smith, his average of 52 is one of the best in the game right now.
Even before the start of the game, his mere presence in practice ramped up the noise levels at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, which is where plays for the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL.
(Video Credit: Indian Cricket Team Facebook)
The big man - AB de Villiers warms up before his 100th Test. #IndvsSA
Posted by Indian Cricket Team on Friday, 13 November 2015