AB De Villers announces his retirement from all forms of cricket on November 19, 2021. Now, let's see his records for the Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL.
AB De Villiers marks the end of an Era after announcing his retirement from all forms of cricket. The South African legend took social media to announce his retirement on Friday. De Villiers retired from the international forms of cricket back in 2018. This time he chose to retire from all the forms of cricket. The 37-year-old cricketer was playing for Royal Challengers Bangalore franchise in IPL. Started playing in 2011, he was clearly one of the strongest backbones of the team. He supported and contributed for the team to reach 5 playoffs.
However, now we will see his records and stats in detail for the Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL.
AB De Villiers has scored 4491 runs for RCB in a total of 156 matches including 11 seasons( since 2011). However, the 37-year old has also smashed 37 half-centuries and 2 centuries for RCB in the league. His average was near about 40 in the league with a whopping strike rate of 151.68. AB De Villiers's highest score is 133* and that came against Mumbai Indians in the 2015 edition for RCB.
Also, he is the second-highest run-scorer behind his RCB teammate, Virat Kohli. He is the record holder for the second and the third-highest individual run total in the history of RCB as well.
De Villiers also has kept the wickets for RCB on such occasions. In which, he grabs 96 catches for his team. He has been a finisher par excellence, hitting a sublime hundred in Mumbai in 2015 and another in Bengaluru against Gujarat Lions in 2016. With Virat Kohli, AB has posted five 100+ partnerships for RCB and two 200+ partnerships, the only pair in the world to post two such partnerships. He made 687 runs in 2016, finishing third on the runs chart.
In the thrilling world of international cricket, hitting sixes remains one of the most entertaining aspects of the game. Over the years, power-hitters have delighted fans by clearing boundaries with ease and rewriting records with their big-hitting skills.
Let's take a look at the batters with most sixes in international cricket history.
Most Sixes in International Cricket History
10. AB de Villiers | 328 Sixes
Former South African player AB de Villiers gets the 10th spot on this list. The former right-handed batsman slammed 328 sixes in international cricket. De Villiers shattered 64 sixes in Tests, 204 in ODIs, and 60 in the shortest format. During his career from 2004 to 2018, De Villiers was known as Mr. 360 due to his ability to smash sixes all over the ground.
9. Eoin Morgan | 346 Sixes
England’s limited-overs skipper Eoin Morgan represented both Ireland and England. From 2006 to 2022, he hit 346 sixes in international cricket. The English player has slammed 6 sixes in Tests, 220 in ODIs, and 120 in T20Is. Morgan captained England to their first ICC Cricket World Cup win in 2019.
8. Sanath Jayasuriya | 352 Sixes
Former Sri Lanka cricketer Sanath Jayasurya grabs the 8th spot on this list. Jayasuriya, who played from 1989 to 2011, was widely popular for his ability to smash sixes. The former left-handed batsman slammed 352 sixes in international cricket during his active career. The former Sri Lanka opener smacked 59 sixes in Tests, 270 in ODIs, and 23 in T20Is. Jayasuriya retired in 2011 from international cricket.
7. MS Dhoni | 359 Sixes
Former Indian captain and wicketkeeper-batsman MS Dhoni bags 7th spot in this list. Dhoni accounts for 359 sixes in international cricket. Dhoni, who played for India from 2004 to 2019, slammed 78 sixes in Tests and 229 in ODIs. The wicketkeeper-batsman slammed 52 sixes in the shortest format as well. His leadership and batting prowess led India to numerous victories, including the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup.
6. Jos Buttler | 369 Sixes
Jos Buttler, England's dynamic wicketkeeper-batsman, has been a key player since his debut in 2011. By 2025, he amassed 369 sixes in international cricket. Buttler's innovative stroke play and aggressive batting have been instrumental in England's recent successes.
5. Martin Guptill | 383 Sixes
Martin Guptill, another prominent New Zealand batsman, has been a consistent performer since his debut in 2009. As of 2022, he has hit 383 sixes in international cricket. In Tests, the right-handed batsman has shattered 23 sixes. The opening batsman has also slammed 187 sixes in ODIs and 173 sixes in T20Is.
Former New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum grabs the 4th spot in this list. The former right-handed batsman accounts for 398 sixes in international cricket. The former Kiwi opener slammed 107 sixes in Tests, 200 in ODIs, and 91 in T20Is. Mccullum played for New Zealand from 2002 to 2016.
3. Shahid Afridi | 476 Sixes
Shahid Afridi, affectionately known as "Boom Boom," was famous for his explosive batting style. Representing Pakistan from 1996 to 2018, Afridi hit 476 sixes in international cricket. The former Pakistan skipper accounts for 52 sixes in Tests, 351 in ODIs, and 73 in T20Is. Afridi retired from international cricket in 2018.
2. Chris Gayle | 553 Sixes
West Indies cricketer Chris Gayle steals the second spot in this list. Gayle, known as the "Universe Boss," is one of the most destructive batsmen in cricket history. Over his career spanning from 1999 to 2021, he amassed 553 sixes in international cricket. Gayle has slammed 98 sixes in Tests, 331 sixes in ODIs, and 124 sixes in T20Is.
1. Rohit Sharma | 637 Sixes
Rohit Sharma, the current captain of the Indian cricket team in ODI formats, is renowned for his exceptional batting prowess. He holds the record for the most sixes in international cricket, with a total of 637 sixes across all formats. Notably, he also holds the record for the highest individual score in a One Day International (ODI) match, with 264 runs.
Major setback for BCCI as Bombay HC orders to pay ₹538 crore to defunct IPL team Kochi Tuskers Kerala
An impact of legal ruling marks a major setback for BCCI as Bombay HC orders to pay ₹538 crore to defunct IPL team Kochi Tuskers Kerala. Get the complete story here.
For years, the Board of Control for Crock in India (BCCI) has navigated various challenges. However a recent coury order is set to have a major financial impact on the sport's governing body.
This ruling revisits a past chapter involving a former IPL team and a long-standing dispute with them. The decision has arrived after a decade of the case, and brings a major setback for BCCI as Bombay HC orders to pay ₹538 crore to defunct IPL team Kochi Tuskers Kerala.
Read the full story to know why.
How the BCCI-Kochi Tuskers Kerala dispute began
BCCI authorities, 2025. Image | Facebook
The root of this major legal battle dates back to 2011, when the BCCI terminated the contract of the IPL team Kochi Tuskers Kerala. The team, managed by Kochi Cricket Private Limited (KCPL), had only played in one IPL season.
The BCCI claimed they ended the contract because Kochi Tuskers failed to provide a required annual bank guarantee by a deadline in March 2011. This was seen by the BCCI as a serious breach of their agreement.
However, the team owners had a different view. They argued that their delay was due to several issues, including problems with the stadium in Kochi and delays in getting necessary approvals. They also stated that the BCCI continued to deal with them and even accepted payments for months after the March deadline.
The team owners believed this showed the BCCI had waived or overlooked the deadline, making their sudden contract termination unfair.
Taking the matter to arbitration:
Because they felt the termination was wrong, the Kochi Tuskers owners took the matter to arbitration in 2012. An independent tribunal looked at all the facts. In June 2015, this tribunal ruled in favor of Kochi Tuskers Kerala.
The tribunal specifically directed the BCCI to pay ₹384.83 crore to Kochi Cricket Private Limited (KCPL) for lost earnings and ₹153.34 crore to Rendezvous Sports World (RSW) for a wrongfully cashed bank guarantee. These amounts also included interest and legal costs.
The Financial Fallout: Why ₹538 crore to be paid now?
Bombay High Court. Image | Wikipedia
The BCCI challenged the 2015 arbitration award in the Bombay High Court, arguing it was unfair and that the damages were too high. However, the recent Bombay HC ruling upheld the original arbitration decision.
This means the BCCI is now legally requiredto pay a total of over ₹538 crore, including accumulated interest since 2015, to the KTK owners. This represents a major financial loss and a significant legal defeat for the Indian cricket board.
Recently the World Test Championship 2023-25 cycle ended. The final match of which was won by South Africa. South Africa was successful in winning its first ICC trophy after 27 years after defeating Australia. But amidst all this, former South African captain AB de Villiers has raised questions on the WTC format and has demanded several reforms from the International Cricket Council (ICC).
AB de Villiers has strongly advocated making the World Test Championship schedule more fair and consistent for all Test playing nations. De Villiers, 41, has suggested a four-year cycle like the ODI World Cup, instead of the current two-year cycle, to ensure every team can compete against other Test-playing sides.
Speaking to BBC Sport, AB de Villiers expressed his disappointment. He said, “We’ve had some very disappointing and sad ends to a lot of campaigns, especially the World Cups, but now it’s time to start believing that we can do this more often,”
“[This moment] won’t be lost. It was too big and too special for all South Africans – it was a Test match no one will ever forget. But yes, to a certain extent, something needs to be done.”
De Villiers advocates making WTC a balanced system
AB de Villiers further elaborated during this interaction, “I saw the schedule that came out for the next cycle of the WTC and there is an improvement, but I still feel there’s work that needs to be done there to just to get it as consistent as possible and as fair as possible for all for all Test-playing nations.”
“You want to get to that final feeling like you’ve played against all these nations,” De Villiers added. “Maybe a four-year cycle would be nice. We’ve done that in the past with one-day internationals, so why not in Test cricket? It would make sense and it would give the organisers just so much more time to get a really fair, well-balanced system out there.”
De Villiers believes a longer cycle will allow teams to play a sufficient number of matches, making a team's journey to the final more credible.
South Africa played least number of Test matches in WTC 2023-25
De Villiers' comments come at a time when the Proteas have played the least number of Test matches (12) among the nine teams during the World Test Championship 2023-25 cycle. The number was a full 10 matches less than England's 22, while Australia, who face South Africa, played 19 matches during the World Test Championship 2023-25 cycle.
A single social media activity has sent shockwaves through the cricketing world ahead of IPL 2026 auction. A recent 'hint' from Sanju Samson's manager has intensified the possibility of his transfer to Chennai Super Kings from Rajasthan Royals in the next season.
Fans are wondering whether this would come true and change the landscape for both the teams in the future, or is it just another false call.
There's been a mixed bag of positive and upsetting reactions in the past 24 hours, but the real question still stands: Will Sanju Samson join CSK for IPL 2026? Check out how Manager's hint fuels mega transfer rumours.
"Time to Move": Samson's recent viral Instagram post
On June 7, Sanju Samson posted a photo on Instagram that begin the rumors. The image featured him alongside his wife, crossing a prominent yellow line on the road. He captioned the post: "Time to MOVE..!!"
This visual cue, combined with the caption and the fact that a Tamil song ('Mun Andhi' from 7 Aum Arivu) was also part of the post, immediately sparked discussion. The comments section was quickly flooded with fans linking the "yellow" color and the "move" message to the Chennai Super Kings.
Comments like "He is definitely moving to CSK" and "Welcome to CSK 💛" can be seen all over the post.
Manager's IPL 2026 hint that sparked Sanju Samson transfer rumours
Sanju Samson's manager's profile (left) and the post he liked on Instagram (right). Image | One Cricket
The intense speculation regarding Sanju Samson moving to CSK for IPL 2026 intensified due to a subtle yet impactful social media action by his manager, Prashob Suvedan. He liked a viral post on X (formerly Twitter), which explicitly stated that Samson might be released fromRajasthan Royals ahead of the IPL 2026 auction.
This gets more interesting as the post also claimed CSK having already approached Samson regarding the move.
Therefore, the timing and nature of his manager's digital interaction ignited widespread speculation and put a layer of possibility about this matter.
— Sanju Samson Fans Page (@SanjuSamsonFP) June 16, 2025
🚨 Sanju Samson wants to join CSK, CSK wants Sanju Samson. Talks are on but it is not at all this simple.
RR doesn't want to trade Samson with any CSK's player, if Samson wants to join CSK then he will have to do it through auction. But then in Auction there is KKR who gonna… pic.twitter.com/Dy6mpX1Ke2
From South Africa's 27-year ICC wait to RCB's IPL triumph after 18 years, this year saw some decades-long trophy droughts coming to an end, which raises a question: Is 2025 the miraculous year in sports history? Find out why.
Every now and then, a year comes along that changes sports history. Imagine waiting years, even decades, for your favourite team to win. For fans across the globe, 2025 has turned that dream into reality.
This year has been special, marked by some of the longest trophy droughts in sports finally coming to an end. Teams like South Africa in cricket and Bologna in football have broken long-standing curses, proving that anything is possible.
Is 2025 the miraculous year in sports history? Join us as we explore why 2025 is a year sports fans won't soon forget, and is also termed as "Year of the underdogs."
1. South Africa won an ICC Trophy after 27 years/ 9,862 days
South Africa celebrates their WTC 2023-25 Final victory against Australia. Image | Mint
For nearly three decades, the "chokers" tag clung to the Proteas like an unwanted shadow. Time and again, they reached close to the glory, only to falter at crucial moments. But 2025 changed everything, as they lifted ICC WTC Trophy defeating a strong Australian side in the Final.
South Africa showcased a cricketing masterclass with extraordinary team efforts in a high-stakes final match. From Aiden Markram's century to Temba Bavuma's batting class, they gave it all to earn the standing ovation from the crowd as they walked with pride after the win.
This victory, as Mark Boucher previously said, indeed is the turnaround they needed to inspire future generations and earn global respect as champions that they truly deserve.
They made the world chant "It's time for Africa" with their performance.
2. RCB won their first ever IPL trophy after 18 years/ 6,570 days
RCB lifting the IPL 2025 title after defeating PBKS in the final. Image | NDTV
For 18 painfully long years, the Royal Challengers Bengaluru and their passionate fans endured a rollercoaster of hope and heartbreak in IPL. Led by Rajat Patidar, RCB delivered exceptional, balanced performance this season, finally breaking free of their curse.
The image of Virat Kohli lifting the IPL trophy, the last major piece missing from his glittering cabinet, was one of the most iconic sportingmoments of this year. It not only signified the team's victory, but also the ultimate reward for loyalty and career-long excellence.
The overall team contribution and management are the key factors that led them to secure their place as champions, shutting all the haters down.
3. Go Ahead Eagles won the KNVB Cup after 93 years/ 33,968 days
Go Ahead Eagles celebrating their KNVB Cup win after 93 years. Image | Instagram
Go Ahead Eagles soared to their first major trophy in 93 years, winning the KNVB Cup in 2025. For generations of fans in Deventer, this was a moment they might have only dreamed of. The emotions outpouring after the victory were sensational.
Their journey in the tournament was an underdog saga, defeating AZ Alkmaar, where they equalised the final match in the 99th minute to take it to penalties, and ultimately winning it from there!
4. Bologna won the Italian Cup after 51 years/ 18,619 days
Bologna lifting the Italian Cup after 51 years in 2025. Image | SportsDesk
Bologna's victory in the Italian Cupafter 51 years was a testament to patience and a perfectly executed season. Their triumph in 2025, defeating AC Milan 1-0 in the final, was a moment they manifested for years.
Key contributions from players like Don Ndoye, who scored the decisive goal despite returning from injury, and the tactical decisions of the coach, Vincenzo Italiano, brought joy to a city that waited for so long.
5. Crystal Palace won the first ever major trophy (FA Cup) after 119 years/ 43,714 days
Crystal Palace lifting the FA Cup after victory over Man City in 2025. Image | Sky News
Perhaps the most astonishing drought-breaker of 2025 belonged to Crystal Palace. After 119 years, the Eagles finally lifted their first-ever major trophy, the FA Cup.
The single decisive goal from Eberechi Eze and crucial saves from goalkeeper Dean Henderson shaped their 1-0 victory over Manchester City FC. This victory proved that even after more than a century, a club's biggest dream can still become reality!
6. Newcastle United won the League Cup after a long wait of 55 years/ 20,367 days
Newcastle United lifting the League Cup in 2025. Image | Instagram
For the passionate supporters of Newcastle United, 2025 brought an end to a 55-year wait for a major domestic trophy as they won the English Football League Cup.
The sight of the Magpies defeating the 10-time champions Liverpool (1-2) was a powerful moment that reinforced belief in their new era. Goals from local hero Dan Burn and Alexander Isak brought the victory home for them.
7. Harry Kane won his first-ever major trophy (Bundesliga) after 32 years/ 11,676 days
Harry Kane celebrating the Bundesliga win in 2025. Image | Instagram
For years, England's most prolific striker, Harry Kane, was burdened by an unfortunate tag: "trophy virgin." Despite his goal-scoring records and individual brilliance, a major team trophy has always slipped away from him.
But 2025 finally saw the narrative shattered as Kane immediately made his mark after joining Bayern Munich, leading them to their 33rd Bundesliga title. He was also the top scorer of the 2024-25 season, having scored 26 goals and 8 assists.
This victory felt like a personal one, putting a line to complete the picture in his football career.
Buzzing to be Bundesliga top goalscorer for the second year in a row and this one’s even more special as it goes alongside the Bundesliga title! Couldn’t have achieved this without the support of my teammates! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/WnvIvCf28S
8. Tottenham won the UEFA Europa League after 17 years/ 6,296 days
Tottenham lifting the UEFA Europa League title after 17 years in 2025. Image | Sky News
2025 finally broke Tottenham Hotspur's 17-year trophy drought, as they won the UEFA Europa League. This was a monumental win, bringing the title back to North London.
The tense final against Manchester United saw a crucial goal from Brennan Johnson secure the 1-0 victory. However, the most iconic image was Son Heung-min, the club's long-serving captain, finally lifting a major trophy.
After a decade of dedication and numerous near misses, Son's emotional moment, draped in the Korean flag, was the highlight of his commitment and love for football.
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