The South African star cricketer AB de Villiers has arguably been one of the legendary cricketers the world has ever witnessed. He made his international debut for Proteas against Australia in the Johannesburg Test way back in 2004. Even since then, there has been no looking back for him as his stature kept on growing with each passing day. However, recently, he announced his retirement from all the formats of cricket for South Africa.
South Africa is scheduled to tour Sri Lanka for a complete series in July and de Villiers’ announcement will be a massive blow for the team ahead of their sub-continent tour. He had represented the Proteas in 114 Tests, 228 ODIs and 78 T20 and scored 8765, 9577 and 1672 runs respectively. He also has 47 international centuries to his name.
ABD scored his maiden double century in Test against India back in 2008 at Ahmedabad. In 2010, the veteran notched his highest Test score versus Pakistan when he amassed 278 runs at Abu Dhabi. He also boasts of the fastest century in ODIs against the Windies back from 31 balls in 2016 at the Wanderers. Moreover, he had been a part of three World Cups for his country in 2007, 2011 and 2015 respectively.
ALSO READ: AB de Villiers Announces retirement from International cricket
De Villiers has been suffering from injuries for quite a while. He played the four-day Day-Night Test against Zimbabwe last year, which was his comeback in Test cricket after a gap of almost two years. He played the Test series against India thereafter, but couldn’t play all the matches in the ODI series because of a finger injury.
The flamboyant cricketer recently demonstrated his skills in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for the franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) under the leadership of Virat Kohli. He churned out some match-winning knocks for his team and won some matches for them single-handedly. Following his retirement, Twitter couldn’t hold themselves back and mourned his retirement.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
Please let this be a rumour. Please. https://t.co/2gR2HAGMLe
— Snehal Pradhan (@SnehalPradhan) May 23, 2018
— Sam Billings (@sambillings) May 23, 2018
'Run out of gas' says @ABdeVilliers17 announcing retirement from international cricket, leaving fans across the world gasping in disbelief
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) May 23, 2018
Sudden but we're confident there was immense thought and contemplation behind the decision. You have to come back to Bengaluru in 2019 ❤️🙌 #Mr360 #PlayBold #RCB https://t.co/dWNlH5Ygoo
— Royal Challengers (@RCBTweets) May 23, 2018
Don't say that AB de Villiers has retired from all forms of international cricket, say that AB de Villiers has retired from cricket in all 360 degrees.
— Trendulkar (@Trendulkar) May 23, 2018
The biggest entertainer in the last decade has bid goodbye to International cricket…your absence will be felt, AB. Cricket will be poorer. Wish you all the best for your future endeavours. Go well @ABdeVilliers17 🙌👍
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) May 23, 2018
"This is a tough decision, I have thought long and hard about it and I’d like to retire while still playing decent cricket"
More from @ABdeVilliers17, after he announced his retirement from all forms of international cricket. #ABretireshttps://t.co/J87YRCTEDi pic.twitter.com/83Laxk9XiZ
— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) May 23, 2018
The man who showed the world that batting 360° is an easy task. All the best for your future endeavours @ABdeVilliers17, thank you for all the unforgettable memories! pic.twitter.com/9r4AAQDKfj
— R P Singh (@rpsingh) May 23, 2018
The universe lost its last infinity stone,AB de villiers😢😞 We'll miss u Mr. 360😞 have a great life ahead!
— Neetesh (@infineetz) May 23, 2018
Must admit to being a bit shocked by @ABdeVilliers17 decision to quit all international cricket. We knew it was coming but I thought he would give the World Cup another shot.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) May 23, 2018
Such a shame for international cricket @ABdeVilliers17 … But he has been an unbelievable advert to how I would have loved to have played all 3 formats .. GREAT GREAT Player … Top 3 that I have ever seen .. #AB
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) May 23, 2018
As the Proteas legend @ABdeVilliers17 calls it a day on his international career, we at BCCI would like to wish him all the very best for his future endeavours #ABRetires pic.twitter.com/3iRCrJjva6
— BCCI (@BCCI) May 23, 2018
Everyone knows when their time has arrived,abbas is no different. Congrats on a wonderful career @ABdeVilliers17 👏
— Herschelle Gibbs (@hershybru) May 23, 2018
Congratulations @ABdeVilliers17 , the most loved cricketer in the world, on a wonderful career. International cricket will be poorer without you, but you will continue to be celebrated by cricket fans around the world pic.twitter.com/uA7CBlYE9F
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) May 23, 2018
Like your on-field game, may you have 360-degree success off the field as well. You will definitely be missed, @ABdeVilliers17. My best wishes to you! pic.twitter.com/LWHJWNXcVG
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) May 23, 2018
