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The ABD show: When his maiden Test double century left India reeling in 2008

Poulomi Chakraborty

ABD smashes maiden Test double hundred vs India in 2008 (Source: @imkevin149/x.com)ABD smashes maiden Test double hundred vs India in 2008 (Source: @imkevin149/x.com)

Aliens are there or not; that has been a huge debate, but the Earth has its own. It may sound awkward but its true. As South Africa has AB de Villiers and depending on his exceptional achievements and unreal milestones, fans changed his name from AB de Villiers to Allien de Villers.

After making his debut for South Africa, the cricket world welcomed a new superstar, and he captured hearts worldwide. While he dominated across formats, his maiden Test double century against India still stands out as a legendary masterpiece.

In 2008, he smashed a classic unbeaten knock of 217 runs, and the world hailed his brilliance. Let’s rewind and relive that unforgettable magic.

AB de Villiers leaves India speechless with his unbeaten 217

Whenever India and South Africa meet in the longest format, the 22 yards become a spectacle where players from both sides write a story of their redemption. And among all the unforgettable battles, AB de Villiers’ maiden double ton in Ahmedabad shines the brightest. In the second Test match of the series, the Indian fans witnessed de Villiers’ excellence.

Batting first, India was all out in just 76 runs, and Proteas eyed early domination. Coming to open the innings, Graeme Smith and Neil McKenzie laid the platform, but once four wickets tumbled, AB de Villiers joined Kallis, and then, on, pure domination followed their way.

As the Indian bowlers tried to dominate the Proteas, the duo toe them part. Nobody saw what was coming as he ripped the record books apart. Dominating the Indian bowlers with a 98-ball 50, the Protea batter kept swinging his bat on high.

Returning on Day 2, AB de Villiers calmly brought up his century in 174 balls. Completing a 256-run partnership, Kallis walked away scoring 132 runs, but de Villiers had more to offer. After completing the 150-run mark in 241 balls, ABD scored his maiden Test double hundred in 320 balls.

The world watched in awe as AB de Villiers went into destroyer mode, and India threw everything at him. Even after South Africa struggled in the middle, ABD pushed the side to put on a massive total of 494/7 with an unbeaten knock of 217 runs in 333 balls with 17 boundaries and two sixes.

Proteas rise strong and claim an unforgettable Test victory

After a stellar show in the first innings, the Proteas already stamped their authority in the match, but Team India tried to bounce back. After Virender Sehwag and Wasim Jaffer came to open the innings, Makhaya Ntini dismissed Sehwag in just 17 runs. After that, Jacques Kallis and Morne Morkel removed Rahul Dravid and Wasim Jaffer in quick succession.

Sourav Ganguly and MS Dhoni revived India with a fighting 90-run stand, piling pressure on South Africa. But just when the momentum shifted, Dale Steyn struck at the perfect moment to remove Ganguly and swing the match back. With that immense domination, South Africa registered a remarkable victory by an innings and 90 runs.

In the world, cricketers have their own critics and fans, but AB de Villiers is one of those players who doesn’t have any haters. In India, he’s celebrated like one of their own. Yet, that unbeaten double ton in Ahmedabad became the sweetest heartbreak for Indian fans, an admiration wrapped in pain.