AB de Villiers rules out return to top-level cricket, vows to go to Bengaluru during IPL 2023
India Today
Former South Africa captain AB de Villiers said he has no plans to return to top-level cricket or coach any professional team, adding he is keen on spending time with his family. De Villiers revealed he would visit India in November for a 'special' project.
Former South Africa captain AB de Villiers ruled out a return to top-level competitive cricket, revealing he underwent eye surgery due to a retinal detachment earlier this year. The legendary batter opened up about his surgery during an interaction with his fans on social media on Monday, October 3.
AB de Villiers retired from international cricket in May 2018 but continued to play in T20 leagues, including the Indian Premier League. However, in November 2021, de Villiers announced retirement from all forms of the game. He did not play for Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL 2022.
Fans have been urging AB de Villiers to reconsider his call and return to the field but the former South Africa batter confirmed on Monday that he has no such plans.
However, de Villiers said he intends to go to the M Chinnaswamy Stadium during IPL 2023 and thank all the Bengaluru fans for the support he had received over the years while playing in IPL. De Villiers played 157 matches for RCB and hit 4522 runs, forging a wonderful friendship with Virat Kohli.
"I will go to Chinnaswamy Stadium next year. But not for playing cricket. I am going to apologize to the RCB fans for not winning the IPL title so far. I also want to thank them for their support over the past decade. I can't play cricket anymore. Because I had surgery on my right eye," de Villiers said, adding he is planning to start a YouTube channel and that Virat Kohli would be one of the first guests on his show.
AB de Villiers also revealed that he had received an offer to play in the Legends League but he declined it.
The former South Africa captain also said he wants to share his knowledge with the next generation of cricketers but ruled out coaching a professional side in the near future, saying he wanted to spend time with his family after having been on the road for 18 years.
