I still have a role to play for South Africa and RCB, says AB de Villiers

I still have a role to play for South Africa and RCB, says AB de Villiers: Former South African legendary batsman AB de Villiers on Tuesday reckons that he still believes that he has a greater role to play to change the lives of players in the South African setup and also in the Indian Premier League (IPL) with the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).

The batting stalwart bid adieu to the game of cricket on 19th November 2021 abruptly. The entire cricket fraternity was taken aback by the hurried decision of the cricketer, who was doing sensationally well in whichever format he was active at.

Cricket gave him the nickname of ?Mr 360? which meant that he possess no bone and can play strokes across all over the cricket stadium. 

De Villiers was quite unsure about his future at the field of cricket but reckoned that he has a greater role to play to shape the lives of cricketers in his national team and at his dearest IPL franchise RCB.

In conversation with Sunday Times, de Villiers revealed that he is working with some young cricketers and mentoring them.

?I still believe that I have a role to play in SA cricket and also over there in the IPL with the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). I have no idea what will come next but I will take it one day at a time and see. I have been looking after and mentoring some youngsters with potential and ability for the last few years,? de Villiers said as quoted by Sunday Times.

?No one knows about it and hopefully, I can look back one day in the future knowing that I have made a big difference in the lives of a few players. That is my focus for now and I don?t know if it?s going to be professional or on a casual basis, but we will see where we go with that,? he added.

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The burning flame inside me is no more: AB de Villiers

On his retirement post, which was posted on several social media handles, de Villiers said that the burning flame inside him for the game is no more alive. 

?It has been an incredible journey, but I have decided to retire from all cricket,? wrote de Villiers on his social media post.

He further opened up on the challenges faced by the cricketer playing in controlled environments amidst the ongoing pandemic.

?I found myself on the park where scoring runs and doing well for the team didn?t really match with everything that goes with it anymore and that?s where the balance started leading towards hanging my gloves up.

I have never been the guy who is going to push every single bit of energy of my ability and my cricketing skill, I have always played for the enjoyment of the game. And the minute that sort of started going down, I knew it was time for me to move on,? de Villiers added.

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