I will definitely be around the IPL next year, reveals RCB legend AB de Villiers

Royal Challengers Bangalore inducted AB de Villiers and Chris Gayle into their Hall of Fame earlier this month. The South African had announced his retirement from the IPL in 2021.

South African great AB de Villiers has confirmed that he will be returning to the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2023.

The 38-year-old, who played for Royal Challengers Bangalore, had announced his retirement from the cash-rich tournament in November last year. However, Virat Kohli dropped a major hint on de Villiers earlier this month and said that he would be reuniting with the Bangalore-based franchise.

"I am glad to hear Virat confirmed it. To be honest, we haven’t decided on anything yet. I will definitely be around IPL next year. I am not sure in what capacity but I am missing getting back there,” De Villiers told VUSport.

“I have heard a little bird tweeting, saying that there might be some games in Bangalore. So I would love to return to my second hometown (Bangalore) and watch the full capacity stadium there at the Chinnaswamy again. I would love to return, I am looking forward to it,” he added.

De Villiers, who joined RCB in 2011, played a crucial role for the franchise. He, alongwith Kohli, won a lot of games for Royal Challengers Bangalore. The franchise, earlier this month, inducted de Villiers and West Indies legend Chris Gayle into their Hall of Fame.

Royal Challengers Bangalore qualified for the IPL 2022 playoffs after Mumbai Indians defeated Delhi Capitals in their final league match.

The Faf du Plessis-led side will meet Lucknow Super Giants in the Eliminator on May 25 at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Meanwhile, Gujarat Titans will play Rajasthan Royals in Qualifier 1 on May 24 at the same venue. The Qualifier 2 and final are scheduled for May 27 and 29 respectively at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahemdabad.