Cricket News: With the IPL 2021 season coming to a close and a large auction looming, RCB fans were keen to see if the franchise would keep AB de Villiers. When the franchise opted to keep three players, Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell, and Mohammed Siraj, that question was answered.
Nonetheless, de Villiers’ followers were eager to learn where he would be relocating. However, as it turned out, RCB would be the last IPL team de Villiers represents as the former South Africa declared his retirement from all forms of cricket in November last year.
De Villiers, 37, clearly didn’t have much cricket left in him, but Mr. 360 was thought to have a few more years in him. The decision to retire was met with a mixture of emotions. Some thought it was time for de Villiers to ride out into the sunset, while others thought he could have gone a bit longer.
For the first time since retiring, de Villiers discussed the circumstances that led to his decision, admitting that he had made up his mind during the Indian Premier League’s 2021 season.
“In terms of cricket, it’s been a long time coming, and it’s always been about enjoyment for me. And the moment I realised how difficult it was for me to travel and be at the IPL for two and a half to three months a year, especially with this one being split into two, bubbles and other things made things very complicated in terms of cricket and enjoyment, “In an interview with TimesLive, de Villiers stated.
IPL 2021 was split into two halves, with the first half taking place in India before being briefly halted. After six months, the season resumed, this time in the IPL, and de Villiers admitted that it had taken a toll on him, more mentally than physically.
The former South Africa captain stated that it was always his love for the game that motivated him to play and perform well, and that the moment he realised it was no longer the same, he felt it was time to retire.
“I found myself on the field where scoring runs and doing well for the team didn’t really match with all that comes with it anymore, and the balance began to shift toward hanging up my gloves.” I’ve never been the type to put every ounce of energy into improving my cricketing skills; instead, I’ve always played for the sheer fun of it.
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