‘The flame no longer burns so brightly’ – AB de Villiers calls it a day from all forms of cricket

Former South Africa cricketer, AB de Villiers, has announced his retirement from all forms of cricket. On Friday, November 19, the veteran put forth his decision through a post on Twitter. De Villiers made his debut in competitive domestic cricket back in 2003 and he went on to play for more than 18 years. In his post, De Villiers said that he has lost his hunger to chase success.

In his illustrious career, he went on to play 141 first-class, 263 List A and 340 T20 matches, scoring over 31,000 runs with 59 centuries and 192 half-centuries. While he scored over 10,000 runs in first-class and List A games, he felt 576 runs short of the milestone in T20 cricket. The 37-year-old said that it’s the right time for him to gracefully hang his boots from the sport.

He took to Twitter and wrote, “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.”

AB de Villiers’ tweet

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. pic.twitter.com/W1Z41wFeli

— AB de Villiers (@ABdeVilliers17) November 19, 2021

De Villiers last played competitive cricket for the Royal Challengers Bangalore back in the 2021 edition of the Indian Premier League. The Pretoria-born was impressive when the first leg of the tournament took place in India as he played some match-winning knocks. However, he lost his way a wee bit when the second half of the T20 league took place in the United Arab Emirates.

In 184 IPL matches, De Villiers scored 5162 runs with three centuries and 40 half-centuries. Over the years, he has formed a number of useful partnerships with former RCB skipper Virat Kohli. Moreover, he played a couple of seasons for the Delhi Daredevils, now Capitals, and also scored a ton for them.

Back in 2018, De Villiers called it a day from international cricket. Although rumours of his comeback for the Proteas did the rounds, he didn’t return to playing at the highest level. De Villiers has also played for a number of other T20 franchises in the PSL, CPL, and the Big Bash League.