South Africa’s batting superstar and former RCB middle-order batter AB de Villiers, who announced his retirement from all forms of cricket last year, has left the fans excited on social media. On Thursday, AB de Villiers joined the Bengaluru-based Indian Premier League franchise once again. The right-handed batter landed in Bengaluru on Thursday and also confirmed the same via Twitter post. He wrote:
“Great to be back in Bangalore. Just checked in to the ITC Royal Gardenia for the first time in many years! So many great memories flowing back. Also been told this is my 25th time checking in here Tele is on and ready for the Pak/SA game. Go Proteas,”
Check out his Tweet:
Great to be back in Bangalore🎉
— AB de Villiers (@ABdeVilliers17) November 3, 2022
Following this Tweet, Royal Challengers Bangalore via their official Twitter handle also confirmed the same. RCB shared a video of him checking out of the airport. RCB wrote: “Ladies & Gentlemen, the super human is here and he’s telling you why. Welcome home, @ABdeVilliers17”
In the video, he is heard saying: “I am here to have a chat to the RCB guys about next year’s IPL. It’s nice and fresh in Bangalore. It’s a beautiful day.”
Ladies & Gentlemen, the super human is here and he’s telling you why. Welcome home, @ABdeVilliers17 ❤️#PlayBold #WeAreChallengers pic.twitter.com/3FgCxYGd3f
— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) November 3, 2022
However, neither RCB nor AB de Villiers disclosed in what capacity he has joined the franchise. It is very likely that the cricketer is here to be the mentor for the side in the upcoming 2023 edition of the Indian Premier League. This can be the reason why he has joined the team’s backroom staff to decide on the player’s retention and prepare for the upcoming mega auction.
Last month, during a social media interaction, he hinted that he would be associated with RCB during IPL 2023. However, he confirmed that his playing days were behind him following an eye surgery, De Villiers had said:
“I will go to Chinnaswamy Stadium next year. But not for playing cricket. I am going to apologize to the RCB fans for not winning the IPL title so far. I also want to thank them for their support over the past decade. I can’t play cricket anymore. Because I had surgery on my right eye.”
He added: “I am definitely not planning to coach a team. I absolutely love to share everything that I have learnt, that will come. But I am not going to be joining a team, coaching and travelling the world again. I am very happy to spend a bit of time at home after travelling for 18 years.”
