Former South African batting maestro AB de Villiers has hinted at a potential return to the Indian Premier League (IPL), though in a different capacity. The 38-year-old legend expressed interest in taking up a coaching or mentoring role with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), the franchise where he spent the bulk of his IPL career.
De Villiers began his IPL journey with the Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) in 2008, playing three seasons before moving to RCB in 2011. Over the next decade, he became synonymous with the Bengaluru-based franchise, producing match-winning performances and forming one of the most formidable batting line-ups alongside Virat Kohli.
โI might be involved with the IPL again in the future in a different role, but committing to a full season in a professional capacity is really tricky, and I believe those days are done. That said, you never say never. My heart is with RCB and always will be. So, if the franchise feels thereโs a role for me as a coach or mentor, when my time is right and ready, it will definitely be RCB,โ AB de Villiers told IANS.
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During his IPL career with RCB, de Villiers scored 4,522 runs in 157 matches, boasting an average of 41.10 and a strike rate of 158.33. He recorded two centuries and 37 fifties, thrilling fans with his explosive batting and impeccable timing.
๐ข๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ ๐ฎ๐ป ๐ฅ๐๐๐ถ๐ฎ๐ป, ๐ฎ๐น๐๐ฎ๐๐ ๐ฎ๐ป ๐ฅ๐๐๐ถ๐ฎ๐ป! โค๏ธ
AB de Villiers makes it clear โ if he steps into coaching or mentoring, it will only be with RCB. ๐๐ผ๐ pic.twitter.com/0CkeKWjarZ
โ ๐๏ธ (@KohliFanGal_18) August 25, 2025
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One of his most iconic achievements came in 2016, when he shared a record 229-run partnership with Virat Kohli against the Gujarat Lions, the highest second-wicket stand in IPL history. That season alone, he amassed 687 runs, finishing third on the tournamentโs run charts.
Across his entire IPL career spanning 184 matches for two franchises, de Villiers accumulated 5,162 runs at a strike rate of 151.68, including three centuries and 40 fifties.
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Recognising his contribution, RCB inducted him into the RCB Hall of Fame in 2022 alongside Chris Gayle. While a full-time return seems unlikely, AB de Villiersโ bond with RCB remains unbreakable, and fans can dream of seeing him back in the IPL, this time guiding the next generation of stars from the sidelines.
