AB de Villiers announces his comeback to cricket
Former South African cricket captain and star AB de Villiers has announced his comeback to the sport this July, signaling his first return since retiring from all formats four years prior.
De Villiers, seen as one of the most explosive batsmen in cricket history, first stepped away from international cricket in 2018. He kept participating in franchise leagues until 2021, when he stepped away from all aspects of the game.
Recently, the 40-year-old shared his wish to get back on the field, disclosing that his young sons’ increasing enthusiasm for the sport reignited his love for cricket.
“De Villiers stated that four years ago, he retired from all cricket since he no longer felt the desire to play.” “However, time has gone by, and my young boys have begun playing the game.” We’ve been spending increased time playing in the garden, and, honestly, it seems like a spark has been reignited.
De Villiers announced that he will be coming back to competitive cricket to captain the South Africa Champions in the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025. “Therefore, I’m going back to the gym and the nets, and I’ll be prepared for WCL in July,” he mentioned.
The Legends World Championship (LWC) is an exclusive T20 competition showcasing retired and non-contracted cricketers who play for their national sides. The next tournament scheduled for 2025 will mark the second edition, succeeding its first in 2024, when the Indian team, led by Yuvraj Singh, claimed the championship.
De Villiers’ final participation in competitive cricket occurred during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021, representing Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB).
