AB de Villiers in action for the Proteas. Photo by Anesh Debiky/Gallo Images
AB de Villiers rules out any comeback, won’t go into coaching
Former Proteas superstar AB de Villiers has officially confirmed there is no chance he is able to make any return to competitive cricket.
AB de Villiers in action for the Proteas. Photo by Anesh Debiky/Gallo Images
AB de Villiers, who is one of the most iconic South African cricketers of al time, retired from all forms of the game last year. However, that hasn’t put an end to rumours that he could possibly consider a comeback to the game, at least in T20 formats such as the IPL.
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However, when hosting a Twitter space this week, De Villiers revealed he underwent surgery to his right eye due to a retinal detachment, ruling out any chance of a cricket comeback. In addition, he has said he won’t be considering a coaching role as an alternative.
“I am definitely not planning to coach a team,” he said. “I absolutely love sharing everything I have learnt, and that will definitely come. But I am not going to be joining a team [yet], coaching and travelling the world again.
“I am very happy to spend a bit of time at home after travelling for 18 years.”
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AB de Villiers is widely regarded as one the Proteas’ all-time greatest cricketers
De Villiers issued the following statement after officially hanging up his boots last year.
“It has been an incredible journey, but I have decided to retire from all cricket. Ever since the back yard matches with my older brothers, I have played the game with pure enjoyment and unbridled enthusiasm. Now, at the age of 37, that flame no longer burns so brightly.
“That’s the reality I must accept – and, even if it may seem sudden, that is why I am making this announcement today. I’ve had my time. Cricket has been exceptionally kind to me.
“I would like to thank every teammate, every opponent, every coach, every physio and every staff member who has travelled the same path, and I am humbled by the support I have received in South Africa, in India, wherever I have played.
“Cricket has been exceptionally kind to me. Whether playing for the Titans, or the Proteas, or RCB, or around the world, the game has given me unimagined experiences and opportunities, and I will always be grateful.
“Last, I am aware that nothing would have been possible without the sacrifices made by my family – my parents, my brothers, my wife Danielle and my children. I look forward to the next chapter of our lives when I can truly put them first.”
De Villiers played 114 Tests, 228 ODIs and 78 T20Is for South Africa, but had not represented the Proteas since 2018. It was hoped that he could perhaps have one final swansong at the T20 World Cup, but it was not to be.
In Test match cricket, De Villiers scored 8 765 Test runs at an average of 50.66, racked up 9 577 ODI runs at 53.50 and boasted a stunning strike rate of 101.09.
In T20Is, he scored 1 672 runs at 26.12 and a strike rate of 135.16.
