How many cricket fans did imagine something extraordinary awaited them on January 18, 2015 before South Africa’s second One Day International against West Indies started? Certainly not many did expect something exceptional was about to happen. But now the day is etched on our memories. Courtesy: AB de Villiers.
On 18th January 2015, de Villiers racked up the fastest century in the 50-over format. He smashed the century in just 31 balls at the strike rate of 339 and achieved this notable feat in Johannesburg. The universally loved cricketer brought up both the fastest 50 and 100 in the same match and the record is now intact for six years.
Mr. 360’s heroic 149 off just 44 balls helped South Africa to post 439/2 on the scorecard. SA won the match by 148 runs. While ABD missed the deserving 150 by one run, Hashim Amla went unbeaten on 153. ABD smashed 16 over boundaries and nine fours during the unique knock.
Before ABD, New Zealand’s Corey Anderson accomplished the mission of bringing an ODI ton off 36 balls on 1st January, 2014. The record swam for one year before getting overshadowed by de Villiers’ record. In March, 2015 he recorded the fastest ODI 150 in the World Cup match against West Indies.
Recently ICC picked up the ace South African cricketer in both their ODI and T20 Teams of the Decade.