JOHANNESBURG: South Africa’s superstar batsman AB de Villiers announced Wednesday his retirement from all forms of international cricket with immediate effect.
de Villiers signs off from the game, having played 114 Tests, 228 One-Day Internationals (ODI) and 78 T20 Internationals, apart from enthralling Indian crowds in the IPL with the Delhi Daredevils and Royal Challengers Bangalore since 2008.
de Villiers, 34, believes that ‘the time is right’ for him to call it a day, having made his debut in 2004.
“I have decided to retire from all international cricket with immediate effect,” he said in a video posted on his Twitter handle on Wednesday.
“After 114 Test matches, 228 ODI’s and 78 T20 Internationals, it is time for others to take over. I have had my turn, and to be honest, I am tired.
“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 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. I will always be grateful to the coaches and staff of Cricket South Africa for their support through all these years. The most important thank you goes out to all of my team mates throughout my career, I wouldn’t be half the player that I am without the support throughout the years.
“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. 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 Faf du Plessis and the Proteas,” he concluded.
de Villiers hasn’t been a part of a World Cup winning team, yet he possesses the world record of the fastest 50, 100 and 150 in ODI cricket and his 278* against Pakistan in the UAE is the second highest individual score by a South African batsman in Test cricket.
His retirement comments also indicate that he will not be turning out for the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL next year.
He will certainly be missed in India, where he enjoys superstar status among fans equal to none as far as international players go. And even when stacked against Indian stars, arguably only Team India captain Virat Kohli and Chennai Super Kings captain MS Dhoni are ahead of him in the popularity stakes.
- Log in to post comments