Former South African skipper, AB de Villiers has left the cricketing fraternity and his fans shell-shocked by announcing retirement from all forms of the game. The sudden news came as a shocking blow to the cricket world and to his fans as he has been playing some exceptional cricket in recent times and played some impactful knocks for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and some other T20 leagues as well.

Announcing the same on Twitter, AB de Villiers wrote: ” It has been an incredible journey, but I have decided to retire from all cricket. Ever since the backyard 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.”

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He also added, ” That’s the reality I must accept – and, even if it may seem sudden, that is why I am making this announcement today. I’ve had my time. Cricket has been exceptionally kind to me.”

That’s the reality I must accept – and, even if it may seem sudden, that is why I am making this announcement today. I’ve had my time.

Cricket has been exceptionally kind to me.

— AB de Villiers (@ABdeVilliers17) November 19, 2021

In his career, AB de Villiers has amassed 4,491 runs in the 156 matches he has played for RCB. He is the second all-time leading run-scorer behind Virat Kohli and holds the second and third-highest individual run total in RCB history with 133* against Mumbai Indians (in 2015) and 129* against Gujarat Lions (in 2016). 

AB De Villiers played 114 Tests, 228 ODIs, and 78 T20Is for the Proteas and he has played 40 matches in T20 cricket and scored 9,424 runs. AB de Villiers ended his 17-year long glorified career pretty abruptly. Throughout his career, he broke a plethora of records and created new ones under his name. Therefore, the news came as a blow to everyone but people respected his decision as well.

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And soon social media was filled with heartwarming posts and tributes for one of the most prolific cricketers of South Africa.  Well, the game of cricket is going to miss it’s one of the most admired cricketers.

Here is how the cricketing fraternity reacted to the decision:

Love u too my brother

— AB de Villiers (@ABdeVilliers17) November 19, 2021

Thank you @ABdeVilliers17 for your contribution to cricket. pic.twitter.com/orFEXsFjnB

— Parvinder Awana (@ParvinderAwana) November 19, 2021

Thank you for the memories, the records broken and the entertainment @ABdeVilliers17 💚

We salute your contribution to the game and wish you everything of the best for the future 🇿🇦 #ThankYouAB pic.twitter.com/iL74NShG4W

— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) November 19, 2021

Definitely a kind of relief for myself and all the bowlers . Thank you soo much for the great memories and inspiring soo many of youngsters including me . We will definitely Miss you Mr 360 @abdevilliers17 ❤️❤️🙌🏻🙌🏻 pic.twitter.com/yAi23Cv8gw

— Rashid Khan (@rashidkhan_19) November 19, 2021

All of us love AB, that’s no secret! ❤️ Post your @ABdeVilliers17 tributes in the form of artworks or videos. Tag RCB when you post them, and we’ll share the best ones on our page and make sure AB sees them too. 😇#PlayBold #ThankYouAB #WeAreChallengers pic.twitter.com/oa7ASPSecm

— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) November 19, 2021

Congratulations on a phenomenal career @ABdeVilliers17 👏🏼 One of the most loved and admired cricketers of the modern era. Happy retirement legend. #ThankYouAB pic.twitter.com/1CNOiVfHte

— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) November 19, 2021

Thank you @ABdeVilliers17 for all your magic. ☺️ 🙏 https://t.co/0jWI8fsoh6

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) November 19, 2021

"ABD, ABD, ABD!"

This is at Wankhede. In an ODI vs India. This is what you meant to cricket fans.

The game will miss you, @ABdeVilliers17!#ThankYouABDeVilliers

(Video credit: @sumitnawde) pic.twitter.com/RPI4aJoqxC

— Nikhil 🏏 (@CricCrazyNIKS) November 19, 2021

"I’ve had my time."

AB de Villiers has decided to retire from all forms of cricket, effective immediately 👇https://t.co/3cO0jWhDA3

— ICC (@ICC) November 19, 2021

We will miss going up against you, the thrill of close finishes and spirit with which you played the game. #IPL will not be the same without you. Happy retirement, legend. 🙌💙#OneFamily @ABdeVilliers17 @Jaspritbumrah93 pic.twitter.com/X68Mp3ik0b

— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) November 19, 2021

There is no doubt in my mind that @ABdeVilliers17 has been one of the most influential players of his generation. A genius, a true successor to Lara. Wish you well AB. I am sure your countless fans at @RCBTweets will want to give you a befitting send-off. You were a great combo.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) November 19, 2021

Your contribution to cricket has been immense @ABdeVilliers17 🙌 A true legend of this beautiful game and a wonderful athlete. Good luck for whatever the future has in store for you 😊 https://t.co/Yh4huPUH7n

— Shikhar Dhawan (@SDhawan25) November 19, 2021

A true gentleman and one of the greats of the game calls time on his playing career from all cricket. Thank you for all the memories, @ABdeVilliers17 💙

AB iss game main tumhare jaisa koi nahi. We'll miss you, 3⃣6⃣0⃣ 🥺#ThankyouAB #Mr360 pic.twitter.com/bQxDEenJS3

— Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals) November 19, 2021

Well done @ABdeVilliers17 on a special career. I've been extremely lucky to be on the same cricket field as you. The game will not be the same without you. The greatest player I have played with.🐐 https://t.co/N3BJ3Jxw6Q

— Faf Du Plessis (@faf1307) November 19, 2021

“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

Announcement 🔊 @ABdeVilliers17 retires from all cricket

End of an era! 😔 There’s nobody like you, AB. We’ll miss you dearly at RCB. ❤️ For all that you’ve done and given to the team, to the fans, and to cricket lovers in general, #ThankYouAB 🙏🏼 Happy retirement, legend! pic.twitter.com/JivSPTVn88

— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) November 19, 2021

Looked up to in my early cricket days and it’s been an honour to play against you 😊 Good luck @ABdeVilliers17 and thank you for everything you’ve done for cricket 👏 https://t.co/iLqqdqy6ax

— Shreyas Iyer (@ShreyasIyer15) November 19, 2021

The best I’ve ever seen, and someone who I’ve always looked up to! Took the game to another level singlehandedly #mr360

Thankyou 🙌🏼👏🏼 @ABdeVilliers17 https://t.co/lzEQ3MYP13

— Sam Billings (@sambillings) November 19, 2021