Watch - AB de Villiers retires: 2 stunning knocks that sum up the legend of 'Mr. 360'

South African talisman AB de Villiers announced his retirement from all forms of international cricket on Wednesday, saying he was tired and wanted to step out while still at the top.

"After 114 test matches, 228 one day internationals and 78 T20 internationals it is time for others to take over. I've had my turn and to be honest I'm tired," he said in a video message on Twitter and in a statement.

"This is a tough decision, I have thought long and hard about it and I'd like to retire while still playing decent cricket. After the fantastic (test) series wins against India and Australia, now feels like the right time to step aside. It would not be right for me to pick and choose where, when and in what format I play for the Proteas. For me, in the green and gold, it must be everything or nothing," he added.

ABD has the distiction of scoring the fastest 50, fastest 100 and fastest 150 in ODIs. It was these sensational knocks that earned him the moniker 'Mr. 360'.

Here they are

Fastest  50 and 100

Arguably the greatest innings ever played on a cricket field, ABD went on to registers the fastest half-century and century in ODIs. The right-hander smashed the West Indian attack to all corners of the Wanderes, getting to his half-century in 16 balls and ton in merely 31 balls. He scored 149 off 44 balls, with 16 sixes and nine fours. All in a span of 59 minutes!

Fastest 150

Another masterclass against the West Indies, ABD notched up the fastest 150 in ODIs. He faced 66 balls, hit 17 fours and eight sixes in his innings of 162 not-out.

66 balls
17 fours
8 sixes
162 not out!@ABDeVilliers17's finest innings?#ABRetires pic.twitter.com/1qOsHia5PT

— ICC (@ICC) May 23, 2018

The 34-year-old, whose swashbuckling batting style and razor sharp fielding has made him one of the sport's leading lights, only returned to test cricket in December after a lengthy hiatus where he focused on the limited overs formats of the game.

"It's not about earning more somewhere else, it's about running out of gas and feeling that it is the right time to move on," he said. "Everything comes to an end. To the cricket fans around South Africa and the world, thank you for your kindness and generosity, and today, for your understanding. I have no plans to play overseas, in fact, I hope I can continue to be available for the Titans in domestic cricket. I will continue to be the biggest supporter of (captain) Faf du Plessis and the Proteas."

Here's ABD's statement

I’ve made a big decision today pic.twitter.com/In0jyquPOK

— AB de Villiers (@ABdeVilliers17) May 23, 2018

De Villiers retires with a test average of 50.66 and as the fourth-highest scorer for South Africa with 8,765 runs. He made 22 test centuries. In ODI cricket, he holds the records for the fastest 50 (16 balls), 100 (31 balls) and 150 (64 balls).

"AB is one of the all-time greats of South African cricket who has thrilled spectators around the world with his sheer brilliance, coupled to his ability to innovate and take modern day batting in all three formats but particularly in the white ball ones to new levels," said Cricket South Africa president Chris Nenzani.

(Inputs from Reuters)