AB’s fastest 150 and other devastating knocks at World Cup 2015 so far

Source: IANS
Saket Parekar
Saket Parekar folomojo staff

162 runs, 66 balls, 17 fours and 8 sixes.

Numbers often speak for themselves. But even these amazing numbers can’t quite describe the carnage that we all witnessed on Friday, the 27th.

Even South Africa’s total of 408 for 5 in 50 overs isn’t enough to do justice to the demolition job carried out by AB de Villiers against West Indies.

The second fastest hundred and the fastest 150 in World Cup history helped the Proteas post the second highest total in the tournament’s history. But records aside, it was just pure joy to watch AB at work. There’s nothing quite like watching a batsman go after every ball as if his life depended on it.

Before we could even recover from Tuesday’s ‘Gaylestorm’, AB has taken our breath away with his dominant display. While the tournament promises many more big knocks in the coming days, we look back at the most memorable ones so far.

1. De Villiers the destroyer: 162 off 66 balls vs West Indies

Breaker of records, blower of minds!

When you make Gayle do that, you must be awesome.

West Indies must have been alarmed when AB reached his 50 in 30 balls. When he got 50 more runs from the next 22 balls, they must have thought the worst was over. Little did they know that it was just the beginning of their misery. In the next 14 balls, AB racked up 62 runs, and West Indies realised what Zimbabwe felt like a couple of days ago.

2. Gayle Storm: 215 off 147 balls vs Zimbabwe

The only way to stop him is to get him out early, because once he gets his foot in, he wants to hit every ball for a six. Zimbabwe learned this lesson the hard way, helping Chris Gayle set a World Cup record for the highest individual score and equal the record for most number of sixes in an ODI innings.

3. Brendon the butcher: 77 from 25 balls vs England

England hammered.

After Tim Southee’s magnificent 7-wicket haul, Brendon McCullum decided to teach the Englishmen a lesson in batting. It turned out to be a 39-minute crash course that saw New Zealand chase down 124 in just 12.2 overs.

4. Dil Shining: 161 off 146 balls vs Bangladesh

The unorthodox Sri Lankan finally showed his mettle in a classy little knock against Bangladesh, setting up a crucial win for Sri Lanka in Pool A.

5. Da One and only: 137 off 146 balls vs South Africa

It’s all about the moustache, isn’t it?

It was just a matter of time before Shikhar Dhawan regained his form. He showed a glimpse of his brilliance in his 73 against Pakistan and then his full potential in a glorious 137 against South Africa.

6. Virat makes it 6-0 for India: 107 off 126 balls vs Pakistan

Virat Kohli
Source: IANS

The biggest matches often bring out the best in Virat Kohli and he couldn’t have chosen a better opposition to score his first ton at this World Cup. It was a knock of great composure and immense quality that helped India maintain their perfect record against their arch-rivals at the World Cup.

7. Magnificent Miller: 138 off 92 balls vs Zimbabwe

He is nicknamed ‘Killer Miller’ for a reason. The left-hander displayed the depth in South Africa’s batting line-up in a destructive knock against Zimbabwe, setting up a stunning win for the Proteas in the early stages of the competition.