AB de Villiers, a name that comes in everyone’s brain when they think about the best batsman. He shockingly announced his retirement from all form of international matches on immediate effect.
He did the announcement through a video that he posted on Twitter.
I’ve made a big decision today pic.twitter.com/In0jyquPOK
— AB de Villiers (@ABdeVilliers17) May 23, 2018
In his entire retirement address, de Villiers said “This is the high-performance center in Pretoria where 14 seasons ago I arrived as a nervous youngster when I was first called into the Proteas squad. Today at the same place, I want to let you know that I have decided to retire from all international cricket with immediate effect. After 114 Test matches, 228 ODIs and 78 T20Is, it is time for others to take over. I have had my turn and to be honest, I am tired. This is a tough decision, I thought long and hard about it and I would like to retire while still playing decent cricket. After the fantastic series against India and Australia, now feels the right time to step aside. It would not be right for me to pick and choose where and when and in what format I play for the Protease. For me, in green and gold, it must be everything or nothing. I will always be grateful to my teammates, the coaches and the staff of Cricket South Africa for their support through all these years. It is not about earning more somewhere else, it is about running out of gas and feeling it is time to move on. Everything comes to an end and to cricket fans in South Africa and around the world, thank you very much for your kindness, generosity and your understanding. I have no plans to play overseas, in fact, I hope I can continue to be available for the Titans in domestic cricket. I will continue to be the biggest supporter of Faf du Plessis and the Proteas.”
The former South African captain who did his debut in 2004 and played around 114 test matches made 8765 runs at an average of 50.66. He made 22 centuries and 46 half-centuries in test cricket.
ABD, as he is known worldwide, was a force to play within the shorter formats as he made 9577 runs at an average of 53.50 with 25 centuries and 53 half-centuries under his belt. He has also scored 1672 runs in 78 T20 international matches.
He owns the record of being the fastest chaser of 50, 100 and 150 runs in ODI cricket. He is also known as the “360 batsmen” because of his unique and equally unbreakable batting skills.
Recently ABD appeared in IPL from Royal Challenger Bangalore’s side where he failed to qualify for the playoffs.
This sudden decision of ABD has shocked the cricket fans and is definitely a great loss caused.
