AB de Villiers announces retirement from all forms of the game

AB de Villiers has announced his retirement from all forms of the game. This confirms that he has decided to end his association with the Bangalore franchise in the Indian T20 League. He had joined the team back in 2011 and spent 10 seasons with the team. His camaraderie with Virat Kohli was the most talked about during this period apart from his heroics with the bat.

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De Villiers scored 4491 runs in 156 matches for the Bangalore franchise in the Indian T20 League. He also played for the Delhi franchise before that. Overall, the man scored 5162 runs in 184 matches and ended as the sixth highest run-getter in the tournament history.

Overall, De Villiers played 340 T20 matches in his career and amassed 9424 runs at a brilliant strike-rate of 150.13 with four centuries and 69 half-centuries. AB de Villiers took to his official Twitter handle to announce the news stating that the flame no longer burns brightly.

"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.

"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. 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.

"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 wrote in a series of tweets.