Road to the Cricket World Cup 2023. Hall of Fame: Mahendra Singh Dhoni

 Inspirational captain, one of the greats of modern cricket

Mahendra Singh Dhoni, a winner all the way.

ONE-DAY WORLD CUP BATTING AND WICKETKEEPING: Matches 29, Innings 25, Not Out 7, Highest Score 91*, Runs 780, Average 43.33, Strike-rate 89.96, 50s 5, Catches 34, Stumpings 8 

From a blazing-hot long-haired top-order striker, the metamorphosis of Mahendra Singh Dhoni along the way to a canny finisher, Captain Cool to adoring millions, was remarkable. His place as an all-time great wicketkeeper-batsman is secure, as is his slot among the most successful leaders in all formats of the game. He led India to the title in the inaugural World Twenty20 in 2007, saw the side climb to no. 1 spot in Test matches, and won the 2011 One-day World Cup. No legend of the sport is as unassuming and matter-of-fact about his fabulous achievements as is MS. Success rests lightly on his shoulders. True to type, his departure from the international scene was as subtle, and with no flourish, as the man himself.

Though he was out for a duck in the upset by Bangladesh on first appearance in the 2007 World Cup, Dhoni caught Tamim Iqbal, and stumped Shakib Al Hasan and the captain Habibul Bashar. As India made merry off the friendly Bermuda bowling, Dhoni hit 29 off 25 deliveries and took a catch to send back the burly Dwayne Leverock. With the side struggling to stay in the competition, Dhoni caught three Sri Lankan batsmen but was dismissed for another duck. It was a disastrous tournament for India, knocked out in the first stage.

The tide had turned at home in 2011. Dhoni had risen rapidly to assume captaincy, and India were one of the strong favourites. India piled up 370 for four off the Bangla attack, with Dhoni not getting his turn to bat. Though the Bangladesh batsmen put up strong resistance, the target was far beyond their reach. Dhoni had a stumping to his name.

 In the thrilling high-scoring tie with England, Dhoni hit a rapid-fire 31 off 25 balls, striking a six and 3 fours. He added 69 for the fourth wicket with Yuvraj Singh in 7.4 overs. They were out within a ball of each other. With the last five wickets falling in a heap after their departure, India were a bit disappointed that they did not get more than 338, and could not build on Sachin Tendulkar’s superb 120 (115 balls, 5 sixes, 10 fours). With skipper Andrew Strauss leading the way with a brilliant 158 (145 balls, 1 six, 18 fours), England finished on the same score with eight wickets down.

 India overcame Ireland with relative ease, Dhoni pouching three catches in a total of 207. With four wickets down for 100 in 23.4 overs, Dhoni combined once again with Yuvraj, putting on 67 in 16.3 overs. He scored a restrained 34 from 68 deliveries, hitting two boundaries. Yuvraj (50 not out) brought up victory in an unfinished stand of 43 with Yusuf Pathan (30 not out) in 5.5 overs.

 It was a similar outing with Holland. Dhoni took a catch and was a participant in two run outs in a score of 189. He was once more in tandem with Yuvraj, ushering in a five-wicket win in an unbroken partnership of 52 in 13.2 overs. Yuvraj was unbeaten with 51 and Dhoni with 19.

Once again, after a magnificent 111 (101 balls, 3 sixes, 8 fours) by Tendulkar, the lower-order capsized against South Africa. Dhoni was a bystander as the last five wickets crashed for 16 runs in 5.4 overs, with another 1.2 overs remaining. He returned in disbelief, 12 not out against his name as Dale Steyn did the damage with five for 50 in 9.4 overs. In fact, when Tendulkar was out, the score was 267 for two in 39.4 overs. From there India collapsed to 296 all out in 48.4 overs. The Proteas were solid through the order and broke away to register an exciting three-wicket victory with just two deliveries to spare. If only the lower half of the Indian batting had held out a bit longer! Dhoni registered a catch, a run out and a stumping.

India needed to regroup. Spurred by a fine hundred by Yuvraj (113 runs, 123 balls, 2 sixes, 10 fours), India posted 268 but again being bowled out inside the 50 overs. Dhoni and Yuvraj put on 45 for the fourth wicket in 9.2 overs. Dhoni scored 22 off 30 deliveries. West Indies were dismissed for 188, with Dhoni having a stumping to his name.

The quarter-final was a battle of prestige as Australia looked for their fourth straight title, their long unbeaten streak going back to 1999 already breached by Pakistan in their previous match. A hundred of sheer class by skipper Ricky Ponting (104 runs, 118 balls, 1 six, 7 fours), enabled the Aussies to post 260 for six. Some determined batting through the order by India saw them home by five wickets with 14 balls to spare. Dhoni, though, was dismissed for 7.

The sizzling, red-hot semi-final against Pakistan was played on a dodgy Mohali pitch. Sachin Tendulkar scored a fortuitous 85 (115 balls, 11 fours) as India posted 260 for nine. Dhoni put together 25 runs off 42 balls, adding a valuable 46 with Tendulkar in 11.3 overs. Pakistan put up a game bid but kept falling behind on the run-rate. They were eventually bowled out for 231 in 49.5 overs with the wickets shared equally by the five bowlers. Dhoni snapped up a catch.

 

The final at the Wankhede Stadium was a closely-contested faceoff. A tremendous unbeaten 103 (88 balls, 13 fours) by Mahela Jayawardene spurred Sri Lanka to hoist 274 for six. If would be the highest winning score in a World Cup final if India were to achieve it. There was disbelief as Virender Sehwag was trapped leg-before by Lasith Malinga off the second delivery for a duck. Then in the seventh over, there was stunned silence as Tendulkar edged Malinga into the gloves of skipper Kumar Sangakkara. It was 31 for two, and Tendulkar gone for 18. Gautam Gambhir and Virat Kohli put on 83 in 15.3 overs.

Then there was the stirring sight of captain Dhoni striding out briskly, promoting himself ahead of Yuvraj, to join Gambhir. It was a defining moment in the match. Having settled down, they began striking the boundaries. Dhoni slammed Muttiah Muralitharan through the covers to the fence, reaching his half-century from 52 deliveries. The century partnership came up in 17.5 overs. Just when it seemed that they were sailing, Gambhir had a rush of blood. He dashed out to Thisara Perera, had a big swing, missed and was castled. His superb 97 had come off 122 balls, embellished with 9 fours. They had put on 109 in 19.4 overs. There were now 52 runs to get in 8.4 overs as Yuvraj walked in. Dhoni slashed Perera high above point for a six. They struck a four each in the 47th over off Nuwan Kulasekara. In the next over Dhoni found the pickets at square-leg off two successive deliveries from Malinga. There were now only 7 runs required from 15 balls. The roar of excitement in the stadium could be heard a long distance away. And then with 4 needed in 11 deliveries, in a moment frozen in eternity, Dhoni swung Kulasekara high over long-on for a six. Wankhede Stadium erupted, as did all of India, and all Indians around the globe. India became the first team to win the World Cup on home soil. Dhoni returned triumphant with 91 to his name, having faced just 79 balls and hammered 2 sixes and 8 fours. He was man-of-the-match. Player-of-the-tournament Yuvraj Singh was unbeaten with 21 off 24 balls, having struck 2 fours. It was an exhilarating night as Dhoni lifted the gleaming ICC Trophy.

The opening clash for the defending champions in 2015 was against arch-rivals Pakistan. Virat Kohli’s hundred and his century partnerships with Shikhar Dhawan and Suresh Raina carried India to 300 for seven. Dhoni scored 18 off 13 balls with a six and a four. Once Pakistan had lost five wickets for 103 at almost the half-way stage, they were never in the hunt. They folded up for 224. There were three catches for Dhoni.

It was Dhawan’s ton against the Proteas and his three-figure stands with Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane that took India to 307 for seven. Dhoni again got 18 runs, this time from 11 deliveries containing three boundaries, South Africa were bowled out for 177. Dhoni was involved in two run outs.

India skittled United Arab Emirates for 102, the lowest they dismissed a side for in the World Cup. Dhoni caught both the openers. India cruised to a nine-wicket win in 18.5 overs.

West Indies were bowled out for 182. Had it not been for skipper Jason Holder’s 57 at no. 9, their plight would have been much worse. Dhoni pouched two catches. India were in some strife at 78 for four after 17.5 overs when Dhoni walked in. There were two brief partnerships with Raina and Ravindra Jadeja, and then an unbroken 51-run stand in 9.4 overs with Ravichandran Ashwin that carried the side to victory. Dhoni was unbeaten with 45, having faced 56 deliveries and struck a six off Andre Russell and 3 fours.   

The Irish posted a respectable 259 in 49 overs. Dhoni caught two of them. With Dhawan hitting another century, India ran away with the game, winning by eight wickets in a mere 36.5 overs. With 12 victories in World Cup matches, Dhoni overtook Kapil Dev’s mark of 11 wins as captain.

Brendan Taylor’s consecutive hundred, a brilliant 138 in 110 balls with 5 sixes and 15 fours, spurred Zimbabwe to a formidable total of 287 in 48.5 overs. Dhoni was not to be left out of the action with two early catches. There was a tremendous unbroken fifth-wicket partnership of 196 in 26 overs between Raina and Dhoni after India had slumped to 92 for four in 22.4 overs. Dhoni got into the groove with two successive boundaries off Solomon Mire on either side of the wicket. With the required rate climbing to almost 10, there was a spate of sixes and fours. The century stand came in 16.5 overs. Dhoni raised his half-century off 56 deliveries. Raina sped to his hundred in 94 balls. Dhoni slammed Tawanda Mupariwa for a six over long-on and a four to long-leg off successive balls. And then he banged a short one from Tinashe Panyangara over square-leg to bring up victory with eight balls to spare. It was India’s highest partnership in a run-chase, bettering the 174-run stand between Dhawan and Rohit Sharma against Ireland four days earlier.  An upset seemed a distinct possibility when the pair came together. Raina hit up 110 off 104 balls, having struck 4 sixes and 9 fours. Dhoni slammed 85 from 76 deliveries, banging 2 sixes and 8 fours. India’s score of 288 for four was their highest batting second in the World Cup.

The quarter-final was a no-contest with India hitting up 302 for six. Rohit Sharma struck a fine hundred and was associated in a century stand with Raina. Dhoni was dismissed for 6. Bangladesh could muster only just 193. Dhoni snapped up four catches. India bowled out their opponents for the seventh successive match, all in this tournament, the most by any team in the World Cup. They also clinched their 11th consecutive win in the World Cup beginning 20th March 2011, second after Australia’s amazing streak of 25 successive triumphs from 20th June 1999 to 25th February 2011. This was Dhoni’s 100th victory as captain in One-day Internationals, emulating the Australians Allan Border (107) and Ricky Ponting (165).

India ran out of steam in the semi-final, losing by 95 runs to Australia. Chasing 329, India were 108 for four in 23 overs when Dhoni entered the arena. He put on 70 with Ajinkya Rahane in 14.2 overs. He reached his fifty off 55 deliveries with a tremendous six over the covers and smashed one more over long-off off the next ball. He was run out for a run-a-ball 65, having struck 2 sixes and 3 fours. By then it was an impossible task and India were bowled out for 233. It was a wonderful run in the tournament prior to this semi-final. Dhoni put in a fine performance with 237 runs in 6 innings at an average of 59.25 and strike-rate of 102.15, and as many as 15 catches in the 8 matches.

By 2019, touching 38 years of age, Dhoni appeared a bit leaden-footed at the crease, and seemed to have lost his nimbleness. He was still his reliable and unobtrusive self behind the stumps, and as always put in a hundred percent effort to the cause of the side under a new leader, Virat Kohli. It was a clinical performance by India in their opening encounter with the Proteas. Restricting the opponents to 227 for nine, they sauntered to their target, losing just four wickets and with 2.3 overs to spare. There was a stumping by Dhoni. With the bat he allied with Rohit Sharma at 139 for three after 31.3 overs. They kept the scoreboard ticking, ahead of the required rate. Rohit brought up his century in 128 balls. The fifty partnership was raised in 11.1 overs. Dhoni was caught and bowled off a skier for 34, scored off 46 deliveries with two boundaries. The stand was worth 74 in 14.4 overs. There were now just 15 runs required from 23 balls. A few big blows by the new man Hardik Pandya were enough to bring up a comfortable win and provide India a fine start to the tournament. Rohit was unbeaten with a classy 122, having taken on 144 balls and embellished with 2 sixes and 13 fours.

In a high-scoring game, India prevailed over reigning champions Australia. This time Shikhar Dhawan hit up a century. Dhoni slammed a rapid-fire 27 off 14 deliveries with a six off Mitchell Starc and three fours. He put on 37 with Kohli for the fourth wicket in 3.2 overs, being caught and bowled once again. India posted a huge 352 for five. Australia were restricted to 316, Dhoni snapping up a catch.

The fixture with New Zealand was washed out. Then followed the needle encounter with Pakistan. Rohit Sharma struck his second hundred of the tournament, a superb 140 off 113 balls, studded with 3 sixes and 14 fours. India hit up 336 for five. Dhoni was caught behind for 1. With a rain interruption, Pakistan’s target was adjusted to 302 in 40 overs. They managed 212 for six. This was India’s seventh win over Pakistan in the World Cup in as many matches, going back to 1992.

India made heavy weather of their game versus Afghanistan. They put up 224 for eight. Dhoni put on 57 with Kedar Jadhav for the fifth wicket in 14 overs. He was stumped off leg-spinner Rashid Khan for 28 off 52 deliveries with 3 fours. With Afghanistan at 190 for six, with 27 balls left, there was an outside chance of an upset. That was when Dhoni stumped Rashid Khan. There were 16 runs to win off the last over with three wickets left. Mohammad Nabi slammed a boundary off the first delivery, followed by a dot. Then Mohammed Shami grabbed a hat-trick to soothe the frayed Indian nerves.

The scare at the hands of Afghanistan must have jolted the Indian squad. They were back to their best as they faced the West Indies. Dhoni joined Kohli at 140 for four after 28.5 overs. They added 40 in 9.3 overs. In another fine stand, Dhoni added 70 with Hardik Pandya from just 10 overs. Dhoni was on 40 when the last over began. He pulled Oshane Thomas for a six over mid-wicket. He slammed another for four at long-off to bring up his half-century in 59 deliveries. The last ball was also short, and he bludgeoned it for six over square-leg. Dhoni returned unbeaten with 56 off 61 balls, having struck 2 sixes and 3 fours. India posted a competitive 268 for seven. West Indies folded up for 143, Mohammed Shami bagging a successive four-wicket haul.  

England prevailed in a match of tall scores. They logged up 337 for seven, Mohammed Shami captured five for 69, his third consecutive haul of four or five wickets. He became the quickest to capture 30 wickets in the World Cup, in just 10 matches. Rohit Sharma carved out his third century of the tournament, and Kohli hit up his fifth consecutive fifty. With the required-rate already above 10 runs an over, Dhoni added 41 for the fifth wicket with Hardik Pandya in 5.4 overs, and another unfinished 39 with Kedar Jadhav in 5.1 overs, but the overs ran out with India 31 short of the English total. Dhoni was 42 not out off just 31 deliveries, having struck a six off Chris Woakes in the last over and four boundaries.

Built on an opening partnership of 180 runs in 29.2 overs between Rohit and Lokesh Rahul, India hoisted 314 for nine off the Bangladesh attack. It was a consecutive hundred for Rohit, his fourth ton in this World Cup, emulating Kumar Sangakkara’s feat of 2015. Dhoni added 40 with a belligerent Rishabh Pant in 5.3 overs. Dhoni scored 35 in 33 balls with four boundaries. Bangladesh made a game bid but were bowled out for 286 in 48 overs with a catch coming Dhoni’s way.

Sri Lanka put up 264 for seven. Dhoni accounted for the first four batsmen, three catches and a stumping. India’s opening partnership of 189 runs in 30.1 overs between Rahul and Rohit virtually settled the issue. Both hit up centuries, Rohit’s record fifth in this World Cup and third in succession. It was a seven-wicket triumph, with Dhoni not getting his turn to bat. India topped the league table with 15 points.

In the semi-final, New Zealand put up 239 for eight, with Dhoni pouching a catch. India made a disastrous start, 5 for three, 24 for four, 71 for five in 22.5 overs when Dhoni entered the scene, and 92 for six in 30.3 overs when he was joined by Ravindra Jadeja. There were 148 more runs required in 19.3 overs at a rate of almost 7.60. It was an uphill task. Jadeja showed his intent by slamming James Neesham for a huge six over long-on off his sixth delivery. He crashed another one off Mitchell Santner. The half-century of the partnership came in 8.4 overs. There were 90 required off the last 10 overs. Jadeja crashed Santner for his third six, and blasted another one off a slower one from Lockie Ferguson. The hundred of their stand came in 15 overs. The required-rate, though, was only climbing, 12.33 at the end of the 47th over. Jadeja was caught at long-off. His brilliant 77 came off 59 balls, having struck 4 fours besides the 4 sixes. In the next over, Dhoni slashed Ferguson for a six. He was run out going for a second run, a brilliant piece of fielding by Martin Guptill. He had scored a hard-fought 50 against the odds, with just a four besides the six. The ageing legend was not able to pull it off this time. India were all out for 221 in 49.3 overs. They had come close from a hopeless situation, thanks to the stellar efforts of Jadeja and Dhoni, but had to exit at the penultimate stage for the second time in a row.

In the evening of his career, Dhoni had given his all. A tally of 273 runs in 8 innings at an average of 45.50 and strike-rate of 87.78, and 10 dismissals were figures to be proud of. In his World Cup career of 29 matches, Dhoni hit up 780 runs at 43.33 per innings and 89.96 runs per 100 balls, to go with his 34 catches and 8 stumpings. In the World Cup too, he finished not only among the top wicketkeeper-batsmen but as a leader par excellence. The 2011 triumph, and the dramatic shot to clinch it, will forever remain etched in memory.

 As Sunil Gavaskar observed in the India Today Conclave in 2020, “Dhoni was definitely right at the top. The way Dhoni captained, the coolness that he brought in the team is special. His story doesn’t tell you the effort and the struggles that he went through.” How Mahendra Singh Dhoni metamorphosed from humble beginnings to the taciturn colossus of world cricket is the stuff of legend.

(Excerpt from Indra Vikram Singh’s forthcoming book ‘Cricket World Cup: Hat-trick of Home Wins’).

On the 40th anniversary of India’s triumph in the cricket World Cup 1983, interview with skipper Kapil Dev published in Indra Vikram Singh’s ‘The Big Book of World Cup Cricket’

 

What did your 1983 World Cup team have that the 1975 and 1979 Indian sides did not?

Self-belief. We had a good tour of the West Indies prior to the 1983 World Cup. We levelled the One-day series 1-1 before losing the decider. It was not a joke to beat the West Indies in those days. Once we beat them (in Berbice, Guyana), we realised that we could beat anyone. Besides we had a number of allrounders. If you consider that men like Kirti Azad and Madan Lal – who batted at no.7 and no.9 for us – have scored 16 Ranji Trophy centuries each, it becomes apparent that we had tremendous batting depth. Imagine a player like Syed Kirmani was batting at no.10! Even last-man Balwinder Singh Sandhu could bat. We had attacking batsmen (Krish Srikkanth, Sandeep Patil and Kapil himself) and also those like Sunil Gavaskar, Mohinder Amarnath, Dilip Vengsarkar and Yash Pal Sharma who could see us through the 60 overs. Our fielding was safe rather than brilliant, though men like Roger Binny and Yash Pal were outstanding. Gavaskar did a great job in the slips and Kirmani was a fine wicketkeeper.

No one except Kim Hughes gave your team even an outside chance to win the Cup. Were you surprised at your team’s performance?

Definitely, I was surprised. But everything was clicking for us then. We had belief in ourselves. Victory over the West Indies in the first match of the World Cup gave a kick-start to our campaign. We can win, we thought after this. Our attitude was very good.

 

In retrospect, you did have a very good One-day side.

I agree we had a good team.

 

Would you say that it was your innings against Zimbabwe at Tunbridge Wells that turned the tide? You went on to win four matches in a row to lift the Cup quite sensationally.

Rather than my innings, what was critical was that the thought of losing never crossed our minds. There was a terrific bond within that team.

 

Was the wicket seaming a lot on that day?

You know that matches started at 11 A.M. in England thanks to their long hours of daylight during summer. Even at that hour the ball was nipping around. Crucially, our batsmen kept edging instead of missing. As wickets tumbled, the pressure kept building up. Soon it was 9 for four wickets (when Kapil went in to bat, and then 17 for five).

 

Did the pitch ease out as your innings progressed?

Yes, it improved and we were able to build up a good total.

 

Personally too you had a brilliant World Cup in 1983, with bat and ball. Was that your finest hour, or was the Test wickets record more exhilarating?

The World Cup win brought recognition to Indian cricket. It brought about a massive change as far as One-day cricket was concerned in India. Earlier our One-day record was poor. This victory was not a fluke; we went on to win the World Championship of cricket in Australia in 1985. We became a force to reckon with. Even though Test cricket is the ultimate, the World Cup triumph was extremely important for us. People talk about my innings of 175 against Zimbabwe, but look at our team effort and the fine combination we had. Medium-pacers Binny, Madan Lal and Sandhu were the key. For variety we had left-arm spinner Ravi Shastri. Let’s not forget the bowling of Amarnath (slow-medium) and Kirti Azad (quickish off-breaks). In the semi-final at Manchester – where the ball invariably swings around – it was turning and keeping low that day. These two were first-class. They pegged England back and bowled 24 overs between themselves (conceding just 55 runs and picking up three wickets), leaving my main bowlers with plenty of overs in hand. After Amarnath and Kirti had bowled 6 overs each, they would look at me at the beginning of each over and wonder if I would keep them on. I just kept them on and on. Our fielding was also very sharp that day.

 

Are you aware that you are still the only player to score a century and bag a five-wicket haul in all the World Cups put together?

(Expresses surprise).

 

What were your thoughts on the morning of the final?

We felt we had nothing to lose.

 

Your total of 183 could not have inspired confidence.

They gave us a green top on which the ball was flying around. The great West Indies fast bowlers Andy Roberts, Joel Garner, Malcolm Marshall and Michael Holding made it very tough for us.

 

Was the ball still moving around when you bowled?

It seamed the whole day. I bowled four maidens, which would not have been possible if the ball was not seaming around.

 

Gordon Greenidge shouldered arms and was bowled. Sandhu said he thought he had bowled an out-swinger but the ball came in.

It happens sometimes. Once you release the ball you can’t always be sure what it will do. At times I would attempt an out-swinger and the ball would come in after hitting the seam. Sandhu was bowling from the Nursery End from where the ball generally goes away from the right-hander due to the slope at Lord’s. But that delivery seamed in sharply.

 

At which stage did you think that you could win? Richards’ dismissal? Lloyd’s dismissal? Or later?

Vivian Richards was obviously an awesome player but even though we managed to dismiss him, Clive Lloyd was still there. And we knew what Lloyd had done in the 1975 final. But soon Lloyd (who had a strained groin and Desmond Haynes as runner) hit a catch to me at cover. Then wickets started tumbling.

 

Surely at 76 for six, you had the match in the bag.

What was important was that their top six batsmen – Greenidge, Haynes, Richards, Lloyd, Larry Gomes and Faoud Bacchus – were out.

 

Do you think the West Indies batsmen were complacent?

No. When a batsman goes in, he tries his best. It’s pressure that gets batsmen in such situations. It was a World Cup final. The fielding side is always less nervous at times such as this. Ultimately, pressure got to the West Indies.

 

The Big Book of World Cup Cricket

Published in India by Sporting Links

ISBN 978-81-901668-4-3

Fully illustrated

Hardcover with jacket 11.5 x 8.75 x 1 inches

544 pages

Available at an attractive price on Amazon https://www.amazon.in/dp/8190166840

Road to the Cricket World Cup 2023. Hall of Fame: Shakib Al Hasan

 World-class allrounder, Bangladesh’s finest

ONE-DAY WORLD CUP BATTING: Matches 29, Innings 29, Not Out 4, Highest Score 124*, Runs 1146, Average 45.84, Strike-rate 82.26, 100s 2, 50s 10, Catches 8 

ONE-DAY WORLD CUP BOWLING: Balls 1433, Maidens 2, Runs 1222, Wickets 34, Average 35.94, Best Bowling 5/29, Runs/Over 5.11

The southpaw Shakib Al Hasan’s stock kept rising. Gradually, he was rated among the best allrounders in the world, and arguably Bangladesh’s finest cricketer. His volatile behaviour at times got him into trouble but his performances on the field kept charting a rising curve. His forthright batsmanship and wily left-arm spin built up a fine record for him since his debut in 2006. With nearly 4,500 runs at an average creeping towards 40 and 230 wickets at just above 31 apiece in Test matches, and heading towards 7000 runs at nearly 38 per innings and towards 300 wickets at an average under 30 in One-day Internationals, and with many good years still ahead of him, Shakib is heading towards the galaxy of the greats.

Shakib’s World Cup debut was in the famous upset of India in 2007. Though India were bowled out for 191, Shakib was unable to take a wicket. He, however, did a star turn with the bat, one of three half-centuries by youngsters that contributed to the shock win. After Tamim Iqbal’s aggressive 51 in 53 balls, Shakib combined with Mushfiqur Rahim in a match-winning fourth-wicket stand of 84 in 22.4 overs. The fifty of their partnership came in 15.1 overs. Shakib was stumped by Mahendra Singh Dhoni off Virender Sehwag. His 53 had come off 86 deliveries studded with a six and five boundaries. There were just 29 more runs to get. Mushfiqur was unbeaten with 56 (107 balls, 2 sixes, 3 fours) as they brought up a stunning five-wicket victory. The fearlessness of youth had prevailed over a very experienced and accomplished side.

Sri Lanka were relentless, piling up 318 for four. Shakib had Mahela Jayawardene caught at long-off, conceding 49 runs in his 10 overs. This time he was bowled by the great Muttiah Muralitharan for 4, Bangladesh folding up for 112.

It was an easy ride against first-timers Bermuda in a rain-curtailed 21-overs-a-side game. Shakib had Oliver Pitcher caught in the covers, and castled Lionel Cann. These wickets cost him 12 runs in three overs. He was unbeaten with 26 in an unfinished 59-run stand with Mohammad Ashraful as they breezed to a seven-wicket win.

Australia dominated their first super-eight fixture. Bangladesh were able to score only 104 for six in their allotted 22 overs. Shakib was joint top-scorer with 25. Australia breezed to a ten-wicket win. The Kiwis were just as unrelenting, bowling out Bangladesh for 174. Shakib once again scored 25. New Zealand knocked up a nine-wicket victory.

There was, however, a stunning upset of South Africa. Bangladesh posted 251 for eight. Shakib, though, was dismissed for 9. He contributed with the ball in the middle of the Proteas’ innings. He had Mark Boucher caught at long-off, and next ball caught Justin Kemp off his own bowling. Suddenly, South Africa slumped to 87 for six after 26.5 overs. There was a bit of a fightback but it was too little, too late. They were bowled out for 184. Shakib conceded 49 runs in his 10 overs for his two wickets.

Fortunes swung again. As the top-order crumbled against the English, Shakib came to the crease at 26 for three in 7.4 overs. Wickets continued to tumble around him as he dug in. He was able to forge a 47-run seventh-wicket partnership with Mashrafe Mortaza in 13.4 overs. Shakib raised his half-century off 82 balls. He ran out of partners as Bangladesh folded up for 143. Shakib was unbeaten for 57, having faced 95 deliveries, and struck 6 fours besides the six. England had to fight hard to reach this small target, losing six wickets in the process. Shakib was unable to pick up a wicket.

The Irish caused further anguish. They posted a challenging 243 for seven. Shakib had Niall O’Brien caught, playing the reverse sweep. He gave away 44 runs in his 10 overs. Bangladesh lost wickets regularly, Shakib being run out for 3, and slipped to 169 all out. The reverses continued as the West Indies scored 230 for five. Shakib had Marlon Samuels caught behind by Mushfiqur Rahim. The wicket cost him 38 runs in 8 overs. The Bangladesh innings never took off and were shot out for 131. Shakib was caught behind for a duck.

Shakib’s two half-centuries were indicative of his promise. He chipped in with a few wickets. His career was taking shape, along with those of several of his young colleagues.

With Virender Sehwag on the rampage in 2011, India piled up a huge 370 for four. Now at the helm, Shakib had Sehwag eventually playing on for 175. He expended 61 runs in 10 overs. Bangladesh put up a game fight. Shakib was associated in two useful partnerships. He added 59 for the third wicket in 9 overs with Tamim Iqbal, and 46 with Mushfiqur Rahim for the fourth wicket in 7.3 overs. He reached his half-century off 47 balls, and trying to raise the tempo was caught at mid-wicket. His 55 spanned 50 deliveries studded with six boundaries. Bangladesh totalled 283 for nine.

It was retribution in the faceoff with the Irish. Though Bangladesh were able to post only 205, they bowled out Ireland for 178. Shakib scored 16. With the ball he had his opposite number William Porterfield caught at mid-wicket. Shakib then had Niall O’Brien taken brilliantly by Tamim Iqbal at square-leg. He gave away 28 runs for those two wickets in his 8 overs.    

There was a disaster at the hands of the West Indies. Shot out for 58, Bangladesh were beaten by nine wickets. Shakib was dismissed for 8.

In a thriller, Bangladesh pipped England by two wickets with just an over to spare. Shakib dismissed top-scorer Jonathan Trott (67), pouched at long-off. He caught Graeme Swann off his own bowling. This time his two wickets cost 49 runs. He put on a crucial 82 runs with Tamim Iqbal for the fourth wicket in 17.2 overs. Shakib’s 32 came off 58 deliveries, having hit just one boundary. Bangladesh lost eight wickets for 169. A resilient unbroken 58-run partnership between Mahmudullah (21 not out) and Shafiul Islam (24 not out) carried them to a nail-biting victory.

As expected, Holland did not provide much resistance. Their cause was not helped by four run outs, Shakib having a hand in two of them. He also claimed the first wicket, trapping Wesley Barresi leg-before, giving away 38 runs in 8 overs. Holland could total only 160. Bangladesh won by six wickets but Shakib was dismissed for 1.

Their last group match was a disaster. South Africa knocked up 284 for eight. Shakib deceived Jacques Kallis with a straighter one and had him caught and bowled. He had Morne van Wyk playing on to another that went on straight, and didn‘t bounce much. Shakib gave away 46 runs. Bangladesh faced the ignominy of being bowled out for under 100 for the second time in the tournament. Shakib was the only one to get into double figures, scoring a resolute, lonely 30 with four boundaries. Bangladesh could muster only 78 runs in 28 overs.

There was not much memorable for Shakib in this World Cup. A half-century and 8 wickets at 27.87 apiece provided some solace, besides the close win over England.

It was an easy opening fixture with Afghanistan in 2015. Shakib featured in a partnership of 114 runs for the fifth wicket in 15.3 overs with Mushfiqur Rahim. They kept the scoreboard ticking. Shakib brought up his fifty from 43 balls. After a few aggressive strikes he was bowled, his 63 coming off 51 deliveries studded with a six and 6 fours. Mushfiqur went on to score 71 (56 balls, 1 six, 6 fours). Bangladesh were bowled out for 267 off the last ball of the 50^th over. Three early wickets set the Afghans back, and though the middle-order battled, the task was overwhelming. Shakib trapped Najibullah Zadran leg-before and had Mirwais Ashraf caught at long-off. Afghanistan folded up for 162. Shakib conceded 43 runs in 8.5 overs.

The match against Australia was washed out. With the top three Sri Lankan batsmen in tremendous form, they hoisted 332 for one. Shakib was wicketless, conceding 55 runs in his 10 overs. Bangladesh were never in the game thereafter, though Shakib and Mushfiqur got together once again in a 64-run stand in 11.1 overs for the sixth wicket. Shakib was caught at long-on for 46, having faced 59 balls and hit a six and 4 fours. Mushfiqur was out for 36. Bangladesh were dismissed for 240.

Kyle Coetzer’s brilliant 156 off 134 deliveries, the highest score by a batsman from an associate member country, carried Scotland to 318 for eight. Opening the bowling, Shakib took the last wicket to fall off the final ball of the innings, having Majid Haq brilliantly caught by Soumya Sarkar at square-leg. He expended 46 runs in his 10 overs. Bangladesh had a fight on their hands, and had to draw on all their resources. Though Sarkar fell early, Tamim Iqbal and Mahmudullah put on 139 for the second wicket. Shakib joined Mushfiqur at 201 for three after 31.3 overs. They added 46 in 6.3 overs. Mushfiqur scored 60 (42 balls, 2 sixes, 6 fours). Once Sabbir Rahman came in there was no looking back. Shakib brought up victory as well as his fifty with a slash above third-man, with 11 balls to spare. This was Bangladesh’s highest chase. Shakib returned with 52 to his name, having faced 51 deliveries, hitting 5 boundaries besides the six. Sabbir was unbeaten with 42 (40 balls, 2 sixes, 4 fours). Rare for one finishing on the losing side, Coetzer deservedly won the man-of-the-match award.

Some fine performances by the Bangladesh players helped beat England in an exciting game. A century by Mahmudullah and his fifth-wicket partnership of 141 runs with Mushfiqur (89) piloted Bangladesh to 275 for seven. Rubel Hossain with four for 53 spearheaded the attack, dismissing England for 260 with 9 deliveries still left. It was not a fruitful outing, though, for Shakib, being dismissed for 2 and returning sans a wicket.

 

Courtesy another fine hundred by Mahmudullah, Bangladesh put up 288 for seven. Shakib was dismissed for a breezy 23 off 18 deliveries. He took the new ball, and had Brendon McCullum caught at long-off. Soon he took another huge wicket, having Kane Williamson taken in the covers. New Zealand were struggling at 33 for two. Martin Guptill knocked up a century, and his partnership of 131 runs for the third wicket with Ross Taylor put New Zealand on course. Shakib had Guptill snapped up at long-on but the Kiwis inched ahead with some useful stands. Shakib induced Luke Ronchi to hit into the hands of cover. The lower-order managed to carry New Zealand over the line with three wickets in hand and 7 balls to spare. Shakib finished with four for 55 in 8.5 overs, his best figures to date in the World Cup, and the first time he had bagged more than two wickets in an innings in the premier event.

 

India were too strong in the quarter-final as they hit up 302 for six. Shakib had opener Shikhar Dhawan stumped, conceding 58 runs in his 10 overs. Bangladesh were bowled out for 193; Shakib being dismissed for 10.

 

Scoring 196 runs in 6 matches at an average of 39.20 and strike-rate of 93.77, Shakib made valuable contributions with the bat. Half of his 8 wickets came in one innings, the average and economy-rate being a bit high at 37.25 and 5.16 respectively.

Shakib was in top form with the bat in 2019, and also bagged his highest number of wickets in any of the four World Cup tournaments. Now batting at no. 3, it gave him ample opportunities to score. Bangladesh were off to a flying start in the opening face-off with South Africa. Shakib came in when the openers had raised 60. Mushfiqur joined him at 75 after 11.4 overs. They put on 142 runs in 23.3 overs, Bangladesh’s highest in the World Cup. Their previous best was 141 for the fifth-wicket between Mahmudullah and Mushfiqur Rahim against England in 2015. Shakib brought up his fifty off 54 balls. The hundred partnership was raised in 15.5 overs. They kept the scoreboard ticking without any heroics. Trying to sweep, Shakib was bowled by Imran Tahir. His 75 came off 84 deliveries embellished with a six and 8 fours. Mushfiqur scored 78 (80 balls, 8 fours). Bangladesh went on to total 330 for six, their highest in One-day Internationals. All the Proteas top-order got good starts but none could play a really big innings. Shakib bowled opener Aiden Markram. He achieved the double of 5000 runs and 250 wickets in One-day Internationals, by far the quickest in 199 matches. South Africa could only advance as far as 309 for eight. Shakib finished with one for 50 in 10 overs. It was a fine win for Bangladesh; Shakib was man-of-the-match.

After another useful stand by the openers, Shakib again sparkled with the willow against New Zealand. This time he put on 50 with Mushfiqur in 10.3 overs. Shakib’s half-century was raised in 54 deliveries once again. Shakib was caught behind off Colin de Grandhomme attempting to cut. His 64 had spanned 68 deliveries, and he struck 7 boundaries. Bangladesh posted 244. Shakib cut short the innings of both the Kiwi openers. He had Guptill pouched at long-on, and Colin Munro taken at mid-wicket. New Zealand’s reply was centred around a century partnership between Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor, but they lost wickets regularly. For the second time in successive tournaments New Zealand scrambled home, losing eight wickets on this occasion and having played out 47.1 overs. Shakib’s return was two for 47.

England seemed to be seeking retribution for 2015, piling up 386 for six. Again opening the bowling, Shakib was unable to take a wicket, giving away 71 runs. With the bat he was in superb touch. After a 55-run stand with Tamim Iqbal, his comrade-in-arms once again was Mushfiqur. This time the duo added 106 runs for the third wicket in 17 overs. Shakib reached his half-century off 53 deliveries. Finding the boundary regularly, he raised his century in 95 balls. Another partnership of 49 runs in 10 overs with Mahmudullah followed. With the asking-rate hopelessly out of control, having gone beyond the 15 runs an over mark, Shakib decided to up the ante. The task, though, was too great. Ben Stokes yorked him in the next over. His superb knock of 121, carved from 119 deliveries, was embellished with a six and 12 fours. Bangladesh were ultimately bowled out for 280.

The fixture with Sri Lanka was washed out. Led by Shakib, the Bangladesh batting was brilliant in the high-scoring game versus the West Indies. Batting first, the Caribbean line-up hoisted 321 for eight. Shakib broke the second-wicket century stand between Evin Lewis and Shai Hope, getting the former to hole out at long-off. He nipped Nicholas Pooran’s innings in the bud, having him caught at long-on. These two wickets cost Shakib 54 runs in 8 overs. He came in to bat after a half-century stand by the openers. He added 69 with Tamim Iqbal. For a change, Mushfiqur fell early. Then followed a superb match-winning stand with Liton Das. Shakib’s half-century came off 40 deliveries. The hundred partnership was raised in 13.4 overs. A lovely cover-drive brought Shakib his hundred off just 83 deliveries, a brilliant successive ton. With Das matching Shakib stroke for stroke, they ushered in a stirring seven-wicket victory with 8.3 overs to spare, the unbroken stand yielding 189 runs in 22.3 overs. Shakib’s magnificent 124 had occupied only 99 deliveries, punctuated by 16 boundaries. Das blasted 94 off a mere 69 balls, crashing 4 sixes and 8 fours. Bangladesh equalled their highest score in the World Cup. They had scored 322 for four against Scotland in 2015. Shakib reached 6,000 runs in One-day Internationals, the fastest to achieve the double of 6,000 runs and 200 wickets. One more man-of-the-match prize was in his bag.

In another run-spree, Australia logged up 381 for five. Shakib’s analysis was 6-0-50-0. After an early wicket, Shakib and Tamim put on 79 runs in 14.2 overs. Shakib scored a-run-a-ball 41 with four hits to the fence. Despite Mushfiqur’s unbeaten century and his 127-run fifth-wicket stand in 16.1 overs with Mahmudullah, to overhaul the huge Aussie score was an impossible task. Bangladesh, though, put up 333 for eight, their highest score in the World Cup, surpassing their 322 for three in the previous match, and 322 for four against Scotland in 2015.

Shakib was more than a handful for the Afghans. He put on 59 in 12.4 overs for the second wicket with Tamim Iqbal, and 61 in 12.2 overs for the third wicket with Mushfiqur. Shakib got to his half-century off 66 balls. He was trapped leg-before by Mujeeb Ur Rahman for 51, having faced 69 balls and struck just one boundary. Mushfiqur went on to score 83 (87 balls, 1 six, 4 fours), as Bangladesh totalled 262 for seven. Shakib kept striking regularly with the ball, sweeping away the top of the Afghanistan batting. He had Rahmat Shah caught on the pull, and got the captain Gulbadin Naib pouched in the covers. Mohammad Nabi played on to him for a duck. Asghar Afghan tried to sweep him but ended up offering a simple catch. Najibullah Zadran charged him, missed and was stumped by Mushfiqur. Shakib snared five wickets for 29 runs in his 10 overs, as Afghanistan were bowled out for 200. There was no other claimant for the man-of-the-match award.

The star allrounder became the second player to score a fifty and bag a five-wicket haul in a World Cup match. In the 2011 World Cup Yuvraj Singh had captured 5 wickets for 31 runs and hit an unbeaten 50 against Ireland. It was the first time that Shakib achieved this feat in his ODI career. Shakib also became the third player to score a century and pick up a five-wicket haul in a World Cup, as also in the World Cup as a whole. Kapil Dev achieved it in 1983, and Yuvraj Singh in 2011. Both Kapil Dev and Yuvraj Singh were part of World Cups winning teams in 1983 and 2011. Shakib had scored 121 and an unbeaten 124 earlier in this 2019 World Cup. He became the first Bangladesh bowler to bag a five-wicket haul in the World Cup. The previous best bowling analysis for Bangladesh was Shafiul Islam's 4 for 21 against Ireland in 2011. This was Shakib's second five-wicket haul in One-day Internationals.

Bangladesh battled hard but just fell short against India. Built on a huge foundation of a 180-run opening stand, India hoisted 314 for nine. Shakib had Rishabh Pant caught at square-leg, giving away 41 runs. Most of the Bangladesh top-order fell after playing cameos. Several of Shakib’s partnerships too were cut short when looking promising. He raised his fifty from 58 balls. He was caught in the covers for 66 with the aid of six boundaries, having faced 74 balls. The later batsmen battled hard, but Bangladesh were bowled out for 286 with two overs remaining.

A huge second-wicket partnership enabled Pakistan to log up 315 for nine. Shakib was unable to take a wicket, giving away 57 runs. Once again none of his partners was able to put up a big score. Liton Das stayed long enough to forge a 58-run stand in 10.5 overs for the fourth wicket. Shakib reached his half-century in 62 deliveries. He was finally dismissed caught behind trying to square-cut. His 64 came off 77 balls, having struck six boundaries. Bangladesh wound up at 221. They bowed out of the tournament finishing eighth in the ten-team league.

Shakib had a tremendous World Cup with scores of 75, 64, 121, 124 not out, 41, 51, 66 and 64; 606 runs in 8 matches at an average of 86.57 and strike-rate of 96.03, two centuries, five fifties and a 41, a five-wicket haul and three man-of-the-match awards. He took 11 wickets at 36.27 apiece and an economy-rate of 5.39. Shakib achieved the distinction of being the first to score 600 runs and take 10 wickets in a single World Cup. He was delighted with his performance, “From the first match, I had a feeling that something good will happen. I scored well in all opening matches in the previous World Cups but I could not continue doing that. So I had to push myself to not lose the momentum after gaining it. I was not surprised because I knew what I had in my mind. It's just that what happened is the best that I thought could have happened for me.”

Going from strength to strength Shakib has, till the 2019 World Cup, 1146 runs in 29 matches at an average of 45.84 and strike-rate of 82.26. His 34 wickets have come at 35.94 apiece and 5.11 runs an over. He became the first player in World Cup history to aggregate 1000 runs and bag 30 wickets, doubtlessly one of the top allrounders in the premier event.

(Excerpt from Indra Vikram Singh’s forthcoming book ‘World Cup Odyssey’).

Road to the Cricket World Cup 2023. Hall of Fame: Abraham (A.B.) de Villiers

 Priceless asset for the Proteas

 

ONE-DAY WORLD CUP BATTING: Matches 23, Innings 22, Not Out 3, Highest Score 162*, Runs 1207, Average 63.52, Strike-rate 117.29, 100s 4, 50s 6, Catches 12

That he is a natural sportsman is apparent from A.B. de Villiers’ batting and fielding, his fluid movements and innate elegance. Technically sound and naturally aggressive at the top or in the middle-order, keen of eye, agile behind the wickets and close to the bat, fleet-footed in the outfield, he has been a priceless asset for the Proteas. Dashing as well as reliable, in good times and in a crisis, de Villiers was a captain’s dream. His World Cup record is evidence of all these attributes.

The start, though, was not so brilliant in the 2007 World Cup against the weekenders from the Netherlands. Opening the batting with skipper Graeme Smith, de Villiers was caught behind off the second ball of the match for a duck. South Africa registered a 221-run win.

He set the record right in another stroll in Warner Park with the Scots, who raised a total of 186. Smith and de Villiers made short work of the target with a spate of boundaries, hoisting the fifty in 6.3 overs. Smith got to his half-century first, the hundred of the innings came up in 12.2 overs, and de Villiers raised his fifty in 41 balls. And then he hammered Glenn Rogers for two consecutive sixes over long-on, before holing out in the same direction. His 62 came off 45 deliveries, punctuated by 9 boundaries and the 2 sixes. The partnership was worth 134 in 15.5 overs. Smith missed his century by 9 runs, and South Africa raced to a seven-wicket win in 23.2 overs.

The Aussie run-machine churned out 377 runs for six wickets, Matthew Hayden slamming the then fastest World Cup hundred in 66 balls, and Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke losing their wickets in the nineties. All eight batsmen on show had a strike-rate of 100 or above. Smith and de Villiers made a tremendous effort against the formidable attack. De Villiers set the tone, stroking left-armer Nathan Bracken for a four and a six off consecutive deliveries in the first over. When the great Glenn McGrath came on, de Villiers hit him for three successive boundaries. This time de Villiers was first to his half-century in 47 balls. The hundred of the innings came up in 13.1 overs. Smith reached fifty from 41 deliveries. Soon de Villiers stepped on the pedal. Just as the Aussies might have been worried, and de Villiers was racing towards his hundred, came a turn in fortunes. A powerful direct hit from long-leg by Shane Watson had de Villiers run out for 92, the same unfortunate manner of dismissal and the same score as Clarke. His brilliant knock had occupied only 70 deliveries, studded with 2 sixes and 14 fours. The partnership had tallied 160 in just 21 overs and put the Proteas right on track. Soon Smith began cramping, de Villiers was back as runner, but both had to return after a while as the captain’s condition was too debilitating to continue. Then wickets began to crumble regularly, Smith was back but dismissed soon for 74, the procession continued and South Africa were bowled out for 294 in 48 overs. Watson’s throw and Smith’s cramps might have pre-empted a thriller in St. Kitts. 

The pendulum swung again as de Villiers was bowled by Chaminda Vaas for another duck in the super-eight clash with Sri Lanka. But South Africa pulled off a humdinger by one wicket even as Lasith Malinga scythed through the tail with four wickets off consecutive deliveries spanning two overs. 

There was a successive duck for de Villiers as the lanky Irish paceman Boyd Rankin had him caught, trying to square-cut one that bounced. An easy win was logged up, though, as expected.

Giant-killers Bangladesh upset South Africa too. Having strung together 251 for eight, the Bangladesh bowlers kept a stranglehold. Smith (12) and Jacques Kallis (32) departed after putting up an aggressive posture. At the other end of the scale, de Villiers tried to grit it out but was bowled by an armer from Abdur Razzak for 15, having been in for 39 deliveries. Wickets kept tumbling and South Africa were beaten by 67 runs.

Pitted opposite hosts West Indies, de Villiers atoned handsomely for his failures. He lost Smith early but aligned with Kallis in a huge partnership. Kallis was in a belligerent mood but de Villiers caught up with him, raising his fifty in 58 deliveries. The century partnership came in 15.4 overs. They went on merrily until Kallis was bowled for 81, the partnership worth 170 off 28.2 overs. As Herschelle Gibbs joined him, a delighted de Villiers ushered in his first hundred in One-day Internationals, having faced 114 balls. He soon strained his hamstring and Smith returned the favour by running for him. Having decided to wield the big stick while he could, de Villiers lashed out, clouting 4 sixes and 3 fours in a hurry. Now in considerable strife, Corey Collymore had him caught for 146, ending the mayhem of 130 deliveries in which he blasted 12 fours and 5 sixes. Gibbs’ contribution was 18 in a stand of 70 in 7.5 overs. South Africa went on to amass 356 for four. After a bit of rest, de Villiers was back on the field and took a fine diving catch at point. West Indies fought gamely right down the order but could not manage more than 289, having lost nine wickets. De Villiers took away the man-of-the-match prize for his heroic knock.

The Kiwis tripped the Proteas by five wickets, and astonishingly de Villiers bagged his fourth duck of the tournament. The pendulum was swinging wildly.

South Africa fought back, trouncing England by nine wickets in the last super-eight encounter. Chasing a target of 155, de Villiers was off to a blazing start. Smith joined in the boundary hitting mode and the fifty was up in 5.4 overs. The duo continued to find the pickets until de Villiers edged one to the wicketkeeper. His 42 comprised 8 boundaries spanning 35 deliveries. The opening stand had realized 85 runs in 9.5 overs overs. Smith (89 not out, 58 balls, 13 fours) and Kallis brought up victory in 19.2 overs.    

The Aussies were unstoppable in the semi-final, skittling the Proteas for 149 in less than 44 overs, Andrew Hall drawing first blood with a brilliant haul of five for 18 in his 10 overs. De Villiers was third out for 15, none of their batsmen got to fifty, and they were defeated by seven wickets.

 It was a strange kind of World Cup for de Villiers, being dismissed for four ducks and two 15s in 10 innings, still averaging 37.20 without a not out, and with the help of a century, a near-century, a half-century, and a near half-century. Indeed de Villiers and South Africa experienced a whole range of emotions in this tournament. The stylish strokemaker, though, entertained all the while, well illustrated by his strike-rate of 100.81 runs per hundred balls.       

With Hashim Amla now in the side, de Villiers batted down the order in the 2011 World Cup, and donning the big gauntlets when required, a mark of his talent and versatility. West Indies totalled 222 and then dismissed Amla and Kallis early. De Villiers joined Smith at 20 for two, and was soon into his stride. The half-century of the stand came up in 9.1 overs. Soon, de Villiers raised his fifty at a-run-a-ball. The century stand arrived in 19.4 overs. Smith departed with the partnership worth 119 in 23.3 overs. There was still some work to do as Jean-Paul Duminy joined in. A bit of rain halted play for a few minutes, and immediately after de Villiers raised his century off 97 deliveries, the quickest by a South African in the World Cup, and a successive one against the West Indies in the premier event. They brought up victory in 42.5 overs, de Villiers unbeaten on 107, having faced 105 balls and stroked 8 fours and 2 sixes. The partnership was worth 84 off 14.2 overs. Leg-spinner Imran Tahir with his bag of four for 41 on debut, was a contender for the man-of-the-match award, but de Villiers eventually got the nod. The campaign had begun on the right note.

Morne van Wyk was given the responsibility behind the sticks in the workout versus the Dutch, leaving de Villiers free to concentrate on his run-getting. And he did get the runs in glorious fashion after Smith and Kallis had departed just after the fifty had been posted. Amla was now de Villiers’ associate in a huge partnership. After a bit of a look-in, de Villiers was off the blocks. He brought up his fifty off 47 balls, as the pair cruised. The hundred of the stand came up in 16.1 overs. Amla sailed to his ton in 121 deliveries. They raised the tempo, de Villiers knocking up the fastest hundred by a South African in the World Cup, off 88 balls. He was now in overdrive, logging up the double-century partnership in 28 overs. Ryan ten Doeschate had Amla caught at point for 113, scored off 130 deliveries containing 8 fours. The stand was worth 221 in 29.2 overs. A cricketing cliché showed up once again as de Villiers was run out in the next over. Both partners were dismissed in quick succession after a big stand. His superb 134 spanned just 98 deliveries and was embellished with 13 glorious hits to the boundary and 4 sailing high above it. The later batsmen too enjoyed themselves and South Africa ended up with 351 for five. Holland were bowled out for 120. It was a successive hundred as well as man-of-the-match prize for de Villiers in their first two matches of this tournament.

A low-scoring thriller at Chepauk went England’s way by just 6 runs. Tahir (four for 38) and Robin Peterson (three for 22) spun out the English for 171 in 45.4 overs. South Africa began well, Amla and Smith raising 63 in 14.1 overs. Then the wheels began to come off with three wickets gone in just about 5 overs. De Villiers and Faf du Plessis gritted it out, adding 42 runs in 12.2 overs but England began striking back. Shouldering arms to James Anderson, de Villiers found to his dismay that the ball had grazed his off-stump. In an innings of 25 completely out of character, de Villiers had not hit a single boundary in a stay off 44 balls. Two more wickets fell at the same score, another after 3 runs. Van Wyk and Dale Steyn raised hopes only to be dashed as the last three wickets crashed for 5 runs.

Another nerve-wracking encounter took place with hosts India, but this time it was a high-scoring one that South Africa managed to pull off with just 2 balls to go. India were propelled by Sachin Tendulkar’s 99^th international hundred, but Steyn pulled it back for South Africa with a five-wicket haul. With the asking-rate hovering around 7.5 runs per over, de Villiers joined forces with Kallis at 127 for two. When Kallis was run out for 69 with the score reading 173 for three, the required-rate had climbed close to 9. Joined by Duminy, the boundaries started flowing. A hard sweep by de Villiers finished in the hands of square-leg. His 52 had come off 39 deliveries, and he had struck 6 fours and a six. Virtually every batsman contributed to the cause, South Africa managing to scrape through just in time with three wickets to spare.

Having been rested in the last two league games with Ireland and Bangladesh, de Villiers was back in the quarter-final face-off with New Zealand, and with the wicketkeeping gloves too. The Kiwis posted 221 for eight. After the early loss of Amla, Smith and Kallis put on 61 runs. Then the Jacob Oram magic started taking effect with the scalp of Smith. Things seemed on course with Kallis and de Villiers in charge but a brillant catch on the mid-wicket boundary by Oram sent Kallis on his way. Duminy did not last long, but another run out of de Villiers two balls later was a huge blow. The sight of de Villiers sprawled on the turf as he dived desperately for the crease might have been symbolic of what lay in store for his team. His 40-ball 35 was studded with 4 fours. Oram went on to bag four for 39, and South Africa crashed out, beaten by 49 runs.      

It was a superb tournament for de Villiers, having scored 353 runs in 5 matches with an average of 88.25. A strike-rate of 108.28 and 2 hundreds and a fifty were proof of his brilliant form. Unfortunately, his team had faltered once again in the final stages of a World Cup.

The opening encounter in 2015 did not stretch the Proteas much. Zimbabwe did grab a few early wickets, de Villiers at no. 4. and at the helm, falling for 25 off 36 deliveries. A huge unbroken partnership of 256 runs in 29.4 overs between David Miller and Jean-Paul Duminy carried South Africa to 339 for four. It was a record for the fifth wicket in the World Cup and in all One-Day Internationals. It was also South Africa’s highest partnership for any wicket. The Zimbabwe top-order battled hard but could only progress till 277.

India put up a challenging 307 for seven. Along with Faf du Plessis, de Villiers put on 68 in 12.3 overs. He was unfortunately run out for 30 off 38 deliveries. His side could not recover from this blow, losing wickets regularly, and folding up for 177.

After this reverse, South Africa needed to get their act together. They, and de Villiers, did and how! After Amla and du Plessis put on 127 runs for the second wicket in 23.4 overs, de Villiers was in irresistible form as the hapless West Indies looked on. He dashed to his fifty off 30 deliveries. His century off 52 balls was the second fastest in the World Cup after Irishman Kevin O’Brien’s ton from 50 deliveries in 2011. A few days later Australia’s Glenn Maxwell crashed a 51-ball hundred. De Villiers’ 150 in 64 deliveries was the fastest in the World Cup and One-day Internationals. He now had to his credit the fastest 50, 100 and 150 in One-day Internationals. In his blistering innings of 149 (44 balls, 16 sixes, 9 fours) against the West Indies at Johannesburg in January 2015, he blasted his fifty in a mere 16 deliveries and hundred off 31 balls. Having hammered 116 runs in boundaries (8 sixes and 17 fours), de Villiers was third in the list in the World Cup after Martin Guptill and Chris Gayle. Later Eoin Morgan hit 118 in 2019. There were no dot balls in South Africa’s batting powerplay from the 36^th to the 40^th over, with Rilee Rossouw and de Villiers hitting 72 runs without being separated. The fourth-wicket partnership of 134 between Rossouw and de Villiers came in only 12.3 overs. The unfinished sixth-wicket partnership of 80 between de Villiers and Farhaan Behardien came off just 3.2 overs. De Villiers blasted 68 of those.

West Indies skipper Jason Holder gave away 34 runs in an over (including two no-balls), which is the most after Holland’s Daan van Bunge who was hit for 6 sixes by the South African Herschelle Gibbs in 2007. All the runs off the bat in this Holder over were smashed by de Villiers. In another over, de Villiers hit Holder for 30 runs. De Villiers’ unbeaten 162 was the second-highest score for South Africa after Gary Kirsten’s 188 not out against United Arab Republic at Rawalpindi in 1996. The South African total of 408 for five was their best in the World Cup, and the highest by any team in One-day Internationals in Australia, until they logged up 411 for four in their very next match versus Ireland, and then hosts Australia piled up 417 for six off the Afghanistan bowling. Shell-shocked by this hammering, West Indies collapsed to 151 all out. South Africa’s winning margin of 257 runs was the joint highest in the World Cup until Australia defeated Afghanistan by 275 runs later. There was no other claimant to the man-of-the-match prize.

There was another massive second-wicket partnership of 247 runs in 36.1 overs between Amla and du Plessis off the Irish. Capitalising on it, de Villiers struck 24 off 9 deliveries with 2 sixes and a four, being caught at backward-point trying to reverse sweep. This time South Africa hoisted 411 for four. It was now a matter of playing out the 50 overs for Ireland. They lasted 45, putting together 210 runs.

In a match truncated by the weather, Pakistan were bowled out for 222 in 46.4 overs, two deliveries short of their allocated quota. According to the Duckworth-Lewis method, South Africa required 232 from 47 overs. De Villiers came in at 67 for three after 10.1 overs. He was at his belligerent best as wickets fell around him. He raised his half-century off 45 deliveries, and continued his carnage. With eight wickets already down for 200, it was up to de Villiers to drive his side home. He launched into a short one but could only nick it to the wicketkeeper. His 77 came off 58 balls, studded with 5 sixes and 7 fours. South Africa were bowled out for 202 in 33.3 overs.

After this reverse, it was a more relaxed outing with United Arab Emirates. Back at no. 4, his boundaries were interspersed with singles. He raised his fifty off 54 balls as he settled into a fourth-wicket stand of 108 runs with David Miller in 17.5 overs. De Villiers then changed gears with a flurry of sixes and fours. One short of his century, he slashed at one, to be taken at short third-man. His 4 sixes took his tally to 20 in the tournament at that stage, the most in any World Cup, leaping ahead of the Matthew Hayden, who had smashed 18 sixes in the 2007 event, while Chris Gayle had tonked 18 sixers till then in this 2015 competition. De Villiers, with 36 sixes, had the maximum in all World Cup tournaments, leaving behind Ricky Ponting who had hit 31. He hit 6 fours besides in his 82-ball knock. South Africa racked up 341 for six. UAE could manage just 195.

In the quarter-final, Sri Lanka were bowled out for 133. South Africa cruised to a nine-wicket win.

In contrast, the semi-final was an edge-of-the-seat thriller, disrupted by the weather and going down to the penultimate delivery. The fourth-wicket partnership of 103 in 12.1 overs between du Plessis (82 runs, 107 balls, 1 six, 7 fours) and de Villiers, and the pyrotechnics of David Miller (49 runs, 18 balls, 3 sixes, 6 fours) at the end took South Africa to 281 for five in their 43 overs. De Villiers again fired on all cylinders racing to his fifty off 32 deliveries. He was unbeaten on 65 from 45 balls. The crucial encounter was balanced on a razor’s edge right through the Kiwi innings. There were 12 runs required off the last over with the ball in the hands of the great Dale Steyn, then five runs off two balls. Steyn bowled full, and Grant Elliott swung. The ball sailed over long-on for a six. New Zealand advanced jubilantly to the final with one delivery to spare. It was heart-break for South Africa yet again.

It was once more a brilliant World Cup for de Villiers, 482 runs in 7 innings at an average of 96.40, and a strike-rate of 144 with a century and 3 fifties. His aggregate was second-highest for South Africa in a World Cup just behind Jacques Kallis’ tally of 485 in 2007.     

There are stories often circulating about de Villiers being champion at many sports. He clarified to The Indian Express: “Some of them are true, while others are not. I have played almost all sports growing up, but was not as good as mentioned. Like in the case of badminton, it is claimed that I was U-19 national champion. That is not true. Tennis was one of my strongest suits. Also rugby. But slowly, as the years went by, my priority became cricket.”

South Africa could not ask for more of de Villiers in the showpiece event. A tally of more than 1200 runs, average above 60, strike-rate close to 120, 4 hundreds, 6 fifties, versatile with the bat and in the field. In the elite list of 21 batsmen who have scored 1,000 runs, de Villiers has the best average as well as strike-rate, in fact the only one among them to strike at above 100. He has the second-highest number of sixes in the premier event, 37 to Gayle’s 49; and the third-highest sixes in a World Cup, 21 in 2015 to Gayle’s 26 in the same event, and Eoin Morgan’s 22 in 2019. Bowing out in endearing, spectacular fashion, de Villiers reserved a permanent place in the pantheon of the greats, one of the most scintillating strikers of the ball.

(Excerpt from Indra Vikram Singh’s forthcoming book ‘World Cup Odyssey’).