Where does AB DeVilliers rank in the pantheon of all time greats?

AB DeVilliers has redefined and revolutionized modern day batting by his exploits on the field. He has been the most outstanding batsman in international cricket for last few years and through his innovative and imaginative batting has won over the hearts of cricket fans world over.

DeVilliers’ most recent swansong was a brilliant 133 of just 59 balls. He literally toyed with a strong Mumbai bowling line up which contained the likes of Lasith Malinga and Harbhajan Singh.

Irfan Pathan tweeted about him: “I'm writing an official complain as a bowler against @ABdeVilliers17. All the bowers please join me @IPL #legend”.

Harsha Bhogle commented: “I know different eras and styles etc but how much better could mighty Viv have been than this AB? #PepsiIPL #RCB”.

The last tweet brings us to an important question. DeVilliers is undoubtedly the best batsman in world cricket today, but how does he compare to past batting greats like Viv Richards, Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara Ricky Ponting and the likes. (Don Bradman was a different class altogether to anyone else)

First, De Villiers has changed modern day batting by his innovative hitting. He can score runs all over the ground, and has shots which can only be imagined by other mortal batsman. He has scored runs of the back of the bat, scores runs directly behind the stumps, can send yorkers 30 rows behind the boundary and do stuff which takes your breath away.

Past greats too had something special or extra about them, which enabled them to dominate and entertain. DeVilliers too has that extra about him. Helped by the advent of T 20 cricket, he has taken batting to another level altogether and has been doing great for last many years.

Also like past greats, he has scored against the best bowlers of his time. The way he literally played with Dale Steyn in the IPL few years ago has become stuff of legend. Steyn has been arguably the best fast bowler in world cricket for the last decade, but he played with him like he was some club bowler. He has meted out similar treatment to many other top bowlers of his era.

Clearly AB DeVilliers compares favourably with all past greats and ranks alongside all of them. Cricket is indeed privileged to have an ambassador like him. Let us bow down to the modern day king of batting, AB DeVilliers!