New Delhi

Former South African all-rounder Shaun Pollock expressed deep admiration for AB de Villiers, an ICC Hall of Famer, highlighting his exceptional ability to handle pace and bounce. Pollock recalled their first encounter, which convinced him that De Villiers was something special. Last week, De Villiers was inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame alongside England’s Alastair Cook and India’s Neetu David.

During his career, De Villiers played 114 Tests, amassing 8,756 runs at an average of 50.66, including 22 centuries. In ODIs, he scored 9,577 runs at an average of 53.50 with 25 centuries over 228 matches. He also made a mark in T20Is, scoring 1,672 runs in 78 games. Renowned for his innovative and destructive batting style, he scored over 20,000 runs across formats and was celebrated as one of cricket’s greatest fielders.

Pollock noted that even before joining the national team, there were whispers about De Villiers’ talent within South African cricket. He described a practice match where he first noticed De Villiers’ potential, remarking on his compact batting technique and excellent balance.

Pollock recalled De Villiers’ iconic 2015 Pink Day century against West Indies, where he scored 149 runs off just 44 balls, showcasing his full range of shots. Pollock praised De Villiers’ success across formats, including his impressive performances in the IPL, where he is the seventh-highest run-scorer in league history, with 5,162 runs.