In a shocking development, South African batsman and former captain AB de Villiers has announced his retirement from international cricket. The 34-year-old batsman, who plays for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL, in a video message said: “I have had my turn, and to be honest, I am tired.” The retirement brings an end to an impressive 14-year career. ABD, who made his international debut in a Test match against England in 2004, now ends his career with 114 Test matches. He has featured in 228 One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and 78 T20Is for South Africa.
In Tests, de Villiers has scored 8765 runs while 9577 and 1672 runs in ODIs and T20Is respectively. His last international innings was against Australia in a Test match at Johannesburg in April this year. He scored 69 and six in that match. Once the news of AB de Villiers’ retirement broke out he was trending across social networking sites. Twitter was abuzz as well with tributes for the mighty talented batsman pouring in. Here are some of the reactions: AB de Villiers Retires From All Forms of International Cricket
ABD international career:
420 Matches
20,014 Runs
47 Centuries
109 fifties
One wonderful career!
Thank you AB De Villiers 🙏
— Broken Cricket (@BrokenCricket) May 23, 2018
Should have played 2019 World Cup!
AB de Villiers destroyed Aust earlier this year and at times played as well as I've ever seen any batsman do so. The fact he's retiring without taking a crack at the 2019 World Cup is disappointing
— Daniel Brettig (@danbrettig) May 23, 2018
Love from all corners!
No overseas cricketer would be cheered for as hard as AB de Villiers was in India! We love you man! ❤️ #ABRetires
— Manya (@CSKian716) May 23, 2018
Best among the best!
Today a legend retires from international cricket. One of the best to ever play internationally, AB De Villiers. #Cricket
— Lewis Vaughan-Jones (@LewisVaughan9) May 23, 2018
Yes!!!
Admit it, South African or not, We all wanted him to lift the world cup trophy atleast once for his country. AB de Villiers you will be missed. 💔
— Barney Stinson (@BarneyStinsonYo) May 23, 2018
Sad and shocking!
i cant hold my tears
thankyou Ab de Villiers #legend
— Siddharth Rai (@SiddiesRai) May 23, 2018
Ours as well!
Yhu AB de Villiers has just ruined my day.
— Ghost. (@Sokhana_Matanda) May 23, 2018
Agree!
I promise Cricket won't see another Ab de Villiers!! #ThankYouAB
— Arun Vijay (@Arun__vijay__) May 23, 2018
No more ABD in cricket!
If AB De Villiers can retire because "to be honest, im tired" does that mean that i can also retire ???
Im also tired. Of university. Of life. Of adulting. Of everything.
— Dhorat the Explorer (@radhxxya_) May 23, 2018
In the video message, de Villiers said that he has no plans to overseas perhaps indicating retirement from IPL as well. “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,” said de Villiers.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 23, 2018 05:43 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).