AB de Villiers, the legendary South African cricketer known for his innovative stroke play, has hinted at a potential return to the cricket field, but it won’t involve the intense pressures of professional leagues or international tours with South Africa.
De Villiers, who retired from all forms of cricket in 2021 following his last international appearance in 2018, has revealed that his children have been encouraging him to pick up the bat again.
In a recent interview on Running Between The Wickets, AB de Villiers shared that he may consider returning to cricket, though he has not confirmed any official plans.
The former South African star revealed that his children have been encouraging him to take up the sport again, prompting him to think about hitting the nets with them. While he made it clear that he’s not planning to return to the professional circuit. De Villiers hinted at the possibility of playing some casual cricket if he enjoys the experience. “If I enjoy it, maybe I’ll play a bit of casual cricket somewhere,” he said.
Although he admitted his left eye isn’t as sharp as it used to be, his right eye remains in good condition, giving him hope for a fun return to the nets. De Villiers expressed excitement about the idea of rediscovering the joy of cricket in a non-competitive setting.
While he’s not ruling out the possibility of playing again, De Villiers made it clear that he has no plans to rejoin the IPL or return to international cricket. He stated, “We’re not talking about RCB and big stuff. I don’t want to feel that pressure again. I just want to have some fun.”
The 45-year-old also shared his admiration for former South African teammate Imran Tahir, who continues to play professionally, and hinted at the possibility of teaming up with him for some casual cricket. However, he reiterated that any potential involvement in cricket would be for personal enjoyment and not professional obligations.