Sourav Ganguly pays tribute to AB de Villiers at Eden Gardens

AB de Villiers’ aura as an individual as well as a cricketer have enthralled the cricketing fraternity time and again. His ability to decimate bowlers has been a tormenting factor for opponents and the Pretoria-born cricketer has garnered respect throughout his career because of his humble approach and sportsman spirit for the game of cricket.

He was also an indispensable member of the South African lineup and deservingly so, bearing in mind the impact he made for them through his all-round abilities. However, the world won’t have the privilege to watch him in national colours as he announced his retirement from all forms of international cricket in his official app and then uploaded the message in his Twitter handle.

De Villiers’ awe-inspiring career

Following his announcement, wishes poured in 34-year old cricketer. The cricketer played over 400 matches for the Proteas in which he managed an astounding 20,000+ runs. Moreover, with 47 centuries to his name, he will be remembered as one of the greatest and most dynamic batsmen to have played the game. Most importantly, he was versatile.

Back in 2012, he scored 33 runs from 220 balls to save his team from a Test defeat versus Australia at the Adelaide Oval. In 2015, he scored the fastest century in ODIs with a knock of 149 runs in 44 balls and scorched 16 sixes and nine boundaries during his stint. He played for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), who crashed out recently, in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) played the Rajasthan Royals (RR) for the Eliminator at the Eden Gardens. During the match, Sourav Ganguly left a message for de Villiers that was flashed on the giant screen at the iconic venue. It read

“Well done AB DE VILLIERS for your contribution to world cricket. The game will remember you forever, you have been a CHAMPION player”

Here is the message on the screen   

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