South African most thrilling batsman AB de Villiers, widely known as Mr. 360 for a dazzling array of shots, has surprisingly announced his retirement from all forms of international cricket with immediate effect on Wednesday.
Posting a video on his offical social media account, he announced his retirement by describing himself as having “run out of gas” and said it is time to give opportunity to the others.
“I have had my turn and, to be honest, I am tired,” said De Villiers in the video message posted on social media. “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”.
The 34-year-old right-hander, considered among the greatest of all time by his peers, plays 14 years on from his debut in 2004, scoring 22 centuries in 114 Tests and 25 in 228 one-day internationals.
Though De Villiers will continue to play in the Indian Premier League, at this stage he has no plans to play in other Twenty20 leagues outside South Africa.
“AB is one of the all-time greats of South African cricket who has thrilled spectators around the world with his sheer brilliance,” said Chris Nenzani, Cricket South Africa President “ coupled to his ability to innovate and take modern day batting in all three formats but particularly in the white ball ones to new levels”.
The shock announcement comes just a year prior to the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup, where de Villiers would have been a key man for South Africa.
“To the cricket fans around South Africa and the world, thank-you for your kindness and generosity, and today, for your understanding”, said the hard hitter batsman in the video message.
>Shatabdi Sarker Poushi
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