AB de Villiers retires from international cricket with immediate effect

One of the greatest batsmen to have graced the cricket field, AB de Villiers has been an icon for many people all around the world to look upto and after South Africa’s repeated failure to lift the trophy when it mattered the most, his fans wanted him to be the anchor of the team in the next year’s World Cup in England. However, de Villiers has decided that he would like to walk away from the sport.

"I have decided to retire from all international cricket with immediate effect. After 114 Test matches, 228 ODI's and 78 T20 Internationals, it is time for others to take over. I have had my turn, and to be honest, I am tired,” the South African talisman announced in a video posted on Social media.

"This is a tough decision, I have thought long and hard about it and I'd like to retire while still playing decent cricket. After the fantastic series wins against India and Australia, now feels like the right time to step aside.

"It would not be right for me to pick and choose where, when and in what format I play for the Proteas. For me, in the green and gold, it must be everything or nothing. I will always be grateful to the coaches and staff of Cricket South Africa for their support through all these years. The most important thank you goes out to all of my teammates throughout my career, I wouldn't be half the player that I am without the support throughout the years.”

A cricketer whose chutzpah and enterprise brought smiles to millions of faces around the world, de Villiers is one of the very few modern-day cricketers who commands respects from even their opponent fans. This can be understood from the fact wherever the guy from Pretoria goes, particularly in India, most of the fans, forget their loyalties for their franchise and chant ABD-ABD at the top of their voice. And ABD thanked his fans for all the love and generosity showered on him. 

"It's not about earning more somewhere else, it's about running out of gas and feeling that it is the right time to move on. Everything comes to an end. To the cricket fans around South Africa and the World, thank you for your kindness and generosity, and today, for your understanding,” an emotional de Villiers said.

"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."

A cricketer of immense talent and ability, AB scored as many as 20,014 international runs and averaged over 50 in both Tests and ODIs. While he had made it clear that he would be a part of the South Africa team in the upcoming edition of the World Cup, it appears he has changed his mind.