AB de Villiars who was speculated to make a comeback to international cricket has finally decided not to do so. The star batsman on Tuesday has confirmed the same to Cricket South Africa.
AB de Villiars who announced his retirement from international cricket back in 23 May quoted at that time ” “I’ve had my turn and, to be honest, I’m tired,” he said. “This is a tough decision. I’ve thought long and hard about it and I’d like to retire still playing decent cricket. 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 green and gold, it must be everything or nothing.”
Since his retirement, there have been many speculations about his return to International cricket on various occasions. This time before the T20 World Cup, the deliberations of his comeback were at peak and Cricket South Africa was also keen on his comeback as CSA was constantly in touch with him on this aspect.
AB de Villiers finalises international retirement.
Discussions with AB de Villiers have concluded with the batsman deciding once and for all, that his retirement will remain final. pic.twitter.com/D3UDmaDAS2
— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) May 18, 2021
But, de Villiars on Tuesday finalized his retirement to CSA and broke millions of hearts and expectations. Cricket South Africa on it’s official social media handle confirming his retirement quoted that ” AB de Villiers finalises international retirement. Discussions with AB de Villiers have concluded with the batsman deciding once and for all, that his retirement will remain final.”
Notably, de Villiars had a brilliant season of IPL 2021 as well. Talking about his stats in International Cricket, He is known as one of the finest batsman in South African Cricket history.
AB de Villiars played 14 Tests, 228 One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and 78 Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) for South Africa. Since his debut in 2004, he had notched up 8765 runs in Tests, 9577 in ODIs and 1672 in T20Is. He holds an average over 50 in Tests and ODIs with an unbeaten 278 being his highest score in the longest format of the game.
