South African legendary cricketer AB de Villiers called time on his international career in March 2018 with 8765 runs in Tests and 9577 runs in ODI cricket. A few years later in 2021, De Villiers walked away from Indian Premier League (IPL) as well, announcing his retirement in 2021.
The former Royal Challengers Bangalore star managed 5162 runs in IPL with 3 hundreds and 40 fifties at a strike-rate of over 151. But Cricket fans worldwide are in for a treat as AB de Villiers announced his long-awaited return to the game after nearly four years away from professional cricket.
Widely regarded as one of the most innovative and electrifying cricketers of all time, de Villiers will captain the Game Changers South Africa Champions in the second edition of the ‘World Championship of Legends (WCL)’. This premier T20 tournament, which features retired and non-contracted cricket legends, promises to be a thrilling spectacle of nostalgia and excitement for fans across the globe.
Reflecting on his decision to return, AB de Villiers said, “Four years ago, I retired from all cricket because I just didn’t feel the urge to play anymore. Well, time has passed, and my young sons have started playing the game. We’ve been playing more and more often in the garden, and it feels as though some kind of flame has been lit again.”
“So, I am heading back to the gym and the nets, and I’ll be ready for the WCL in July,” he added.
It’s official. I will be playing for the South African team @WCLSAChampions in the upcoming @WclLeague 2025!
Mark your calendars: the tournament runs from 18th July to 2nd August.
Can’t wait to renew rivalry with so many legends from five other countries. I’m heading to the… pic.twitter.com/4GnUwdP8LB
— AB de Villiers (@ABdeVilliers17) January 28, 2025
Renowned for his unmatched versatility and fearless batting, De Villiers’ comeback has reignited enthusiasm among the cricketing community. The Game Changers squad, which included iconic names like Jacques Kallis, Herschelle Gibbs, Dale Steyn, and Imran Tahir in its inaugural season, now boasts an even brighter outlook with De Villiers at the helm.
Amandeep Singh, the co-owner of South Africa Champions and Founder of Game Changers, expressed his excitement: “We are honoured to compete in the World Championship of Legends and showcase the incredible talent of our cricketing greats. AB de Villiers’ return as our captain is a monumental boost for our team, and his leadership will undoubtedly inspire us to new heights.”
De Villiers’ return not only elevates the stature of the WCL but also rekindles the love of cricket fans eager to watch one of the greatest players in action once again. The countdown to July has officially begun!
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