South Africa’s star batsman AB de Villiers on Wednesday announced he was retiring from all international cricket after a 14-year career.
“I have decided to retire from all international cricket with immediate effect,” he said in a statement.
“After 114 Test matches, 228 ODI’s and 78 T20 Internationals, it is time for others to take over. I have had my turn, and to be honest, I am tired.”
Fans and cricketers, quite expectedly, were left in shock after ABD’s sudden retirement.
Here’s how they reacted on Twitter:
“Cricket is a very simple game KL. The more u keep it that way the more the game will give you back.”
This Is the advice this great man gave me when I was 21. You will always be my Favourite Cricketer 🙏�ܫ�😊— K L Rahul (@klrahul)
The world of cricket will definitely miss you, ! Loads and loads of love from all of us in India. Enjoy your second๊ innings. 🌜
— Suresh Raina🇮🇳 (@ImRaina)
Best wishes AB post retirℱement, hope life is as exciting as your game. Regards to the family
— Rohit Sharma (@ImRo45)
Must admit to being a bit sho🦄cked by decision to quit all international cricket. We knew it was coming but I thought ꦓhe would give the World Cup another shot.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha)
The way he was thrashing the ball during IPL showed what perfect form he was in🔥
Cricket’s gonna miss a player lik🐟e this. Future mein India ke coach bann j𒈔aana please 💕☺️— Bhuvan Bam (@Bhuvan_Bam)
Toughest decision for any spo☂rtsperso🅺n is when to stop. While all of us were surprised by , we must respect his decision. He leaves an ever lasting impact on the game. A true champion, Mr 360!
— MANOJ TIWARY (@tiwarymanoj)
AB de Villiers destroyed Aust earlier this year and at times played as well as I've ever seen any batsman do so. The fact he's retiring without taking a crack at the 2019 World Cup is disappointing
— Daniel Brettig 🏏 (@danbrettig)
For the man who could do, just about everything on the cricket field. Congratulations on💎 a fantastic career and my best wishes for your future. Cricket,﷽ will miss you. Thank you for the endless entertainment
— Jhulan Goswami (@JhulanG10)
There are only a few players whom 🦄you remember and talk 🌄about for generations. for sure can represent the current gen with a sense of pride for his immense contribution to the world of cricket. Congratulations on a truly fantastic international career
— Hemang Badani (@hemangkbadani)
I♚t was an honour to share the same dressing room as Mr 360 . One of the greatest players to have ever graced the game. Congratulations and all the best for your 2nd innings!
— Sheldon Jackson (@ShelJackson27)
AB de Villiers, the best all format batsman of his generation, retiring from international cricket a year before 2019 WC is a huge blow – maybe biggest yet – to primacy of international cricket.
— Tim Wigmore (@timwig)
//twitter.com/ChaharDeepak9/status/9992898986905272🦋32
What an incredibl🐽e player!! best wishes to your future. It was an absওolute joy to watch you play
— Upul Tharanga (@upultharanga44)
One of the greats of the game Hangs up his boots…many congratulation on a outstanding carrer.
You ll always be loved in Sri lanka….— Dimuth Karunarathna (@IamDimuth)
what an amazing player you have been…an inspiration for me & for so many others.congratulations on a wonderful career.we will miss you wish you all the best for future
— Kamran Akmal (@KamiAkmal23)
Of the *UNREAL* things AB d⛎e Villiers has done on a cricket field, this is comfortably my favourite.
Absolutely no right to:
a) Get to the ball ✅
b) Throw while rolling over 😱
c) Hit the stumps 🎯— Vithushan Ehantharajah (@Vitu_E)
Exqu🐬isite timing as usual. Congratulations, so happy for you and your family. Respect ✊
— Adam Gilchrist (@gilly381)
AB de Villiers announced Retirement.
This day was going just fine. But of course, some b🌳ad news had♍ to come in.
💔
— Richa Singh (@richa_singh)
Don't say that AB de Villiers has retired from all forms of international cricket, say that AB de Villiers has retired from cricket in all 360 degrees.
— Trendulkar (@Trendulkar)
. immense character lets him walk out of international cr🐼icket with grace and countless fans longing for more of his class! Come bac▨k to Bengaluru ❤️ 🙌
— Royal Challengers Bengaluru (@RCBTweets)
