Where would you rank AB de Villiers among greats of the game?

[RK_123]

Tests:-8563 runs Avg 50.66
odis:- 9577 runs Avg 53.5

 

[Arachnodouche]

As talented as anyone to have held a cricket bat. Test numbers don't stack up with some of the other run machines, but I bet he's contributed more than most in the way of crucial knocks.

 

[akilana]

Oh another where you rank thread.

 

[shifty_eyes]

Below Sehwag.

 

[shifty_eyes]

Some comparison

 

[shifty_eyes]

Infact Sehwag was averaging around 55 for a long time.

 

[Slifer]

Great player close to atg but just below that level.

 

[Red]

Tests- He has played some seriously clutch knocks in tough conditions. Averages high in all conditions where he's played a fair amount of tests. Plays in the SA ATG test XI for mine.

ODI- Undisputed ATG. Makes the world XI now in most pundit's eyes.

 

[vcs]

If he can play a couple more years and get close to that 30 centuries mark, he will go down as an undisputed great.

 

[Dan]

de Villiers is a player of ATG innings, rather than being an ATG batsman.

That being said, it speaks a hell of a lot to his talent when you think that 8500 runs at 50 is a bit disappointing tbh

 

[Chrish]

Against moving ball, I would back AB and even Root to cross 50 more often than Smith/ Kohli.

Smith would murder others on decent batting track though which is far more common..

 

[vcs]

de Villiers is a player of ATG innings, rather than being an ATG batsman.

That being said, it speaks a hell of a lot to his talent when you think that 8500 runs at 50 is a bit disappointing tbh

Pietersen vs. AB would be an interesting debate. I suspect most would go AB purely because of Pietersen's odious personality, and fair enough. But that guy was a hell of a talent as well.

 

[cnerd123]

AB more consistently great than KP

KP had plenty of times where he has looked terrible and out of touch. AB always looks a level above, just lack the kind of ruthlessness that would have sealed his legacy.

 

[vcs]

KP arguably played more iconic knocks against great attacks though.

 

[SeamUp]

I think we can get absorbed too much by the average of 50.67 only (consistency?)

Considering he has played most of his cricket in SA that is a damn fine test average.

HOME : 4586 @ 47.28
AWAY : 3977 @ 55.24

 

[cnerd123]

KP arguably played more iconic knocks against great attacks though.

that's why I think the 'player of great innings' tag fits KP more

 

[Bolo]

KP arguably played more iconic knocks against great attacks though.

KPs best innings were typically big hundreds, so they often get remembered. A lot of ABs best innings were lower scoring in more challenging conditions, so they tend to get overlooked.

 

[Adders]

KPs best innings were typically big hundreds, so they often get remembered. A lot of ABs best innings were lower scoring in more challenging conditions, so they tend to get overlooked.

Yeah agree with this. A KP 227 on an Adelaide Road is not anywhere near being up there with ABDV's 91 against a raging Mitchell Johnson at Centurion.

That's not to say that KP hasn't had incredible innings on tricky surfaces (186 in Mumbai) but ABDV has just done more IMO and you'll have a hard time convincing me that KP is on his level.

 

[OverratedSanity]

AB's just a shade below all time level based on career accomplishments by my reckoning but he'll get there if does what he's doing now for another year or two.

 

[vcs]

KPs best innings were typically big hundreds, so they often get remembered. A lot of ABs best innings were lower scoring in more challenging conditions, so they tend to get overlooked.

Fair point. KP had a couple of great knocks against McGrath and Warne, AB didn't (before his prime though?). AB did great against Johnson and Harris in 2014, who KP failed against a few months earlier. AB's blockathons in Adelaide, Delhi, SL etc. were very memorable in their own way.