Already retired from the international game since 2018, De Villiers has now called time on his domestic career as well, including in the Indian Premier League.
The 37-year-old confirmed the news via a statement on his official Twitter handle, stating that he played the game with “pure enjoyment and unbridled enthusiasm” but the “flame” at his age, “no longer burns so brightly”.
In a series of tweets, De Villiers said that his decision may seem “sudden” to some of his fans and admirers but “I have had my time”.
“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,”
he added.
Speculations were rife since the second half of the IPL 2021 that De Villiers may take a call on his future soon, especially as Royal Challengers Bangalore starts off fresh under a new leader with a rebuilt squad next season. Now those rumours have come out true, with the great batter deciding to call it quits and hang up his boots.
De Villiers leaves a rich legacy. Hailed as one of the most complete players that the game has seen, he played 114 Tests, 228 ODIs and 78 T20Is for South Africa. He made 8,765 Test runs at an average of 50.66, 9,577 ODI runs at 53.50 and strike-rate of 101.09 plus 1,672 T20I runs at a strike-rate of 135.16.
Post his retirement in early 2018, De Villiers plied his trade in leagues around the world, mainly the IPL, where the RCB giant ends with an overall league tally of 5,162 runs from 184 games with an average of 39.70 and strike-rate of 151.68.
