Former South African cricketer AB de Villiers expressed his desire to make a comeback to professional cricket and compete with the likes of Suryakumar Yadav and Virat Kohli. De Villiers, considered one of the greatest batters of the modern era, retired from international cricket in 2018, followed by retirement from all forms of the game in 2021.
In a recent interview with JioCinema, de Villiers admitted that he retired too early in his career and still has the ability to play cricket. However, he mentioned that his drive to be the best in the world is no longer there. If he were to return, he would want to compete with rising star Suryakumar Yadav and his former teammate, Virat Kohli.
De Villiers played alongside Kohli for the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the duo had numerous memorable partnerships. Yadav, on the other hand, has been making waves in the cricketing world with his exceptional strokeplay and has been compared to de Villiers for his versatility.
Reflecting on his retirement, de Villiers revealed that he didn’t play enough cricket towards the end of his career, which affected his drive to be the best. He emphasized the importance of continuous competition and practice, stating that playing only two to three months of the year doesn’t allow one to excel on the international stage.
Known for his ability to adapt to different formats of the game, de Villiers showcased his talent in all situations, whether it was playing defensively in Test matches or scoring quickfire hundreds in limited-overs cricket. During his 15-year international career, he was honored with the title of ICC ODI Player of the Year on three occasions.
The retired cricketer holds several mind-boggling records, including the fastest 50, fastest 100, and fastest 150 in One Day Internationals. His prowess as a batter and his innovative strokeplay left fans awestruck throughout his career.
While de Villiers has expressed his interest in a comeback, it remains to be seen if he will make a return to professional cricket. Nonetheless, his statement has sparked excitement among cricket enthusiasts who would love to witness him compete once again against the likes of Suryakumar Yadav and Virat Kohli.
As the cricket community eagerly awaits any news of de Villiers’ potential return, it is evident that his legacy as one of the greatest batsmen in the history of the game will endure. His impact on the sport and his ability to captivate audiences with his extraordinary talent will be remembered for years to come.
