With the conclusion of IPL 2021, the big question that came in place was which players RCB will retain for the mega auction before the IPL 2022. And, they decided to keep three players – Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell and Mohammed Siraj, leaving the veteran AB de Villiers. And, he opened up on the situation that he had made up his mind during the 2021 edition of the league only.

“Cricketing wise, it has been coming for quite some time, it’s always been about enjoyment for me. And the minute where I felt the difficulty of travelling and being there at the IPL for two and half to three months a year, specifically with this one that was spilt into two, bubbles and this and that made things very complicated with regards to cricket and the enjoyment thereof,” said de Villiers in a chat with TimesLive.

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Notably, IPL 2021 took part in two parts, with the first half played in India before it was temporarily suspended due to COVID-19. The season resumed after six months in the UAE, and AB de Villiers mentioned, it took a toll on him, more mentally than physically as well.

The former South Africa captain has, however, shared that it was always the love towards the game that drove him to play so far. And, he also scored well and felt this is the right time to go.

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“I found myself on the park where scoring runs and doing well for the team didn’t really match with everything that goes with it anymore and that is where the balance started leading towards hanging my gloves up. I have never been the guy who is going to push every single bit of energy of my ability and my cricketing skill, I have always played for the enjoyment of the game. And the minute that sort of started going down, I knew it was time for me to move on,” AB de Villiers concluded.