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AB de Villiers (Source: X)
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has recently inducted three cricket legends into its prestigious Hall of Fame: South African star AB de Villiers, England's Alastair Cook, and Indian trailblazer Neetu David. These cricketing icons have made significant contributions to the sport, with their remarkable achievements securing their spots among the elite members of the cricketing world.
Here is everything you need to know about them:
AB de Villiers: The Master of Innovation/sportsinfo/media/media_files/2024/10/16/YhSicYl6tvRqPGqvueIn.jpg)
Known for his explosive and innovative style of play, AB de Villiers captivated cricket fans with his ability to revolutionize batting. De Villiers set records for the fastest 50, 100, and 150 runs in One-Day Internationals (ODIs), earning him a reputation as one of the most versatile and feared batters in modern cricket.
Throughout his career, the South African star accumulated over 20,000 international runs and played pivotal roles in guiding his team to the semi-finals of the 2007 and 2015 ODI World Cups. His career-best Test score of 278* against Pakistan in 2010 was a defining moment in his career and, for a time, stood as the highest individual Test score for South Africa. Retiring in 2018, de Villiers left an indelible mark with an impressive average of over 50 in both Test and ODI formats.
Alastair Cook: The Steady Run Machine/sportsinfo/media/media_files/2024/10/16/mnbtgfrd.jpg)
Former English Test captain Alastair Cook has long been hailed as one of the greatest openers in the history of the sport. Until recently, Cook held the record as England's leading run-scorer and century-maker in Test cricket. His standout performances include scoring 766 runs during England’s Ashes victory in Australia in 2010-11, ending a 24-year drought.
As captain, Cook also led England to two consecutive home Ashes wins in 2013 and 2015. Another career highlight was leading England to a rare Test series win in India in 2012, their first in 28 years. Cook’s dedication, consistency, and record-breaking performances earned him a place in cricket’s pantheon of greats.
Neetu David: Pioneering Indian Woman Cricketer/sportsinfo/media/media_files/2024/10/16/gtfrd.jpg)
Neetu David’s induction into the ICC Hall of Fame is a historic moment for Indian cricket, as she becomes only the second Indian woman to be honoured after Diana Edulji. A left-arm spinner, David’s contributions to women's cricket are remarkable. She was the first Indian woman to take 100 wickets in ODIs and finished her career with a sensational bowling average of 16.34, the best for any bowler (male or female) with over 100 ODI wickets.
Her stunning figures of 8 for 53 in a Test match remain the best bowling figures in an innings in women's Test cricket. Additionally, David was the leading wicket-taker at the 2005 ODI World Cup, playing a key role in India’s runner-up finish. As the current chair of selectors for the Indian women's team, David continues to contribute to the growth of women’s cricket.
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