PRETORIA: Former South African captain AB de Villiers has confirmed his return to the game of cricket in July this year, marking his first appearance since retiring from all formats of the sport four years ago.
He is widely regarded as one of the most dynamic players in the history of cricket. He initially retired from international cricket in 2018. He continued to play in franchise leagues until 2021 when he retired from all forms of the sport.
The 40-year-old has recently expressed his desire to return to the game, revealing that his young sons’ growing interest in cricket revived his passion for the sport.
ALSO READ: Jasprit Bumrah Named ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year
“Four years ago, I retired from all cricket because I just didn’t feel the urge to play anymore,” de Villiers said. “But time has passed, and my young sons have started playing the game. We’ve been playing more and more often in the garden, and, well, it feels as though some kind of flame has been lit again,” he said.
De Villiers confirmed that he will be returning to cricket to lead the South Africa Champions in the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025. “So, I am heading back to the gym and the nets, and I’ll be ready for WCL in July,” he added.
The World Championship of Legends (WCL) is a distinctive T20 tournament featuring retired and non-contracted cricketers representing their national teams. The 2025 edition will be the tournament’s second edition, following the inaugural 2024 edition, where India, captained by Yuvraj Singh, claimed the title.
AB de Villiers‘ most recent appearance in competitive cricket was during the 2021 Indian Premier League (IPL), where he played for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).
