South African legend AB de Villiers has once again confirmed that he will not be making a return to the Indian Premier League (IPL) as a player. In a recent YouTube video, he shared his reasons for this decision.
“I’ve considered that previously, but it won’t work out. I have made my decision and, as I have done throughout my career, I will continue to work to uphold fan and team loyalty,” he said.
De Villiers, who has been a cornerstone of the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) team since 2011, emphasized the clarity of his decisions.
“Since a very young age, I’ve been taught to make clear decisions and stick to them,” he added.
The 37-year-old cricketer explained his decision further, citing a decline in energy on the field as one of the key factors.
“A lot of thought went into it. The reason for it is that over the past couple of seasons, I’ve noticed that I’ve been running a little low on energy on the pitch, “he added.
De Villiers’ incredible IPL career includes amassing 4,522 runs in 144 innings, with a remarkable strike rate of 158.33. His consistency as a run-scorer for RCB has made him an iconic figure in the franchise.
In recognition of his outstanding contributions, RCB honored him by inducting him into their Hall of Fame and retiring his jersey number in March 2023. This gesture shows how much he has influenced the team and how highly the franchise regards him.
Even though he won’t play as a player anymore, AB de Villiers has left a lasting impact on the IPL.