AB de Villiers announces retirement from IPL, quits all forms of cricket
Royal Challengers Bangalore's superstar from South Africa AB de Villiers has announced his retirement from all of franchise cricket, including the Indian Premier League (IPL).
AB de Villiers is one of the icon player of not only the Royal Challengers Bangalore team, but also the all of IPL. However, the South African won't witnessed once again on the cricket pitch any longer.
AB de Villiers had already announced his retirement from International cricket in 2018, but he has finally hang up his boot and is stepping aside from the T20 cricket as well, including all of the franchise cricket he used to play.
AB de Villiers announced his decision through his Twitter handle. The South African star wrote, "It has been an incredible journey, but I have decided to retire from all cricket."
It has been an incredible journey, but I have decided to retire from all cricket.
— AB de Villiers (@ABdeVilliers17) November 19, 2021
Ever since the back yard matches with my older brothers, I have played the game with pure enjoyment and unbridled enthusiasm. Now, at the age of 37, that flame no longer burns so brightly. pic.twitter.com/W1Z41wFeli
He also mentioned about how he started his cricket journey with a backyard match with his brother.
He also talked about his journey with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the IPL, stating that it was a great 11 years and that just whizzed past, and though it was a tough decision, he had to do it to give more time to his family.
“I’m going to be an RCBian for life. Every single person in the RCB set-up has become family to me. People come & go, but the spirit & the love we have for each other at RCB will always remain. I’ve become half Indian now & I’m proud of that.” - @ABdeVilliers17 #ThankYouAB pic.twitter.com/5b6RUYfjDY
— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) November 19, 2021
He also stated that, even if he won't play in the IPL anymore, he will aways be a RCBian by heart. He rounded off with a very emotional sentence, that is really tough bear for his fans, "Now at age of 37, the flame no longer burns so brightly."
AB de Villiers in IPL
AB de Villiers, who is quite popularly known as Mr 360, had been playing in the IPL ever since the first edition. He started off his journey in the IPL with the Delhi Daredevils, before he was bought by Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2011. He has played 184 matches in the IPL and has scored 5162 runs.