IPL legend AB de Villiers has confirmed that he will be part of the Royal Challengers Bangalore franchise next season – though not now as a player but in some other capacity.
Arguably the greatest batsman to have played in the league, AB de Villiers announced his retirement from all forms of the game last year, with another failed attempt to clinch the IPL trophy.
RCB are now three steps away from winning the title for the first time as Faf du Plessis‘ side have reached the playoffs and will play in the Eliminated against Lucknow Super Giants.
In one of the recent videos by RCB, Virat Kohli, de Villiers close mate and former RCB captain, had hinted that de Villiers could join the franchise next year, before adding “Did I spill the beans?” with a chuckle.
Now, the former South Africa skipper himself confirmed that he will “love to return to my second hometown” next year and once again soak in all the love from a packed Chinnaswamy Stadium.
“I am glad to hear Virat confirmed it. To be honest, we haven’t decided on anything yet. I will definitely be around IPL next year. I am not sure in what capacity but I am missing getting back there,” De Villiers told VUSport.
“I have a heard a little bird tweeting, saying that there might be some games in Bangalore. So I would love to return to my second hometown and watch the full capacity stadium there at the Chinnaswamy again. I would love to return, I am looking forward to it,” he added.
AB de Villiers had retired from international cricket in 2018 and had been plying his trade in T20 leagues. Overall, in his IPL journey – in which he played Delhi Capitals (then Daredevils) and Royal Challengers Bangalore – de Villiers amassed 5162 runs at an average of 39.71, with a strike rate of 151.69. He slammed 3 hundreds in the IPL. Sadly, though, he went out without an IPL trophy.
