NEW DELHI: The cricketing world has gone into a frenzy since legendary South African batter AB de Villiers, affectionately called “Mr. 360“, recently hinted at the possibility of a comeback from retirement during an interview with journalist Melinda Farrell.
Known for his innovative stroke play and ability to dominate bowlers on any given day, de Villiers retired from all formats in 2021.
However, his recent comments have rekindled hope among fans eager to see the South African maestro in action again.
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“I might still play cricket one day,” de Villiers teased. “No confirmation whatsoever, but I’m starting to feel it. My kids are putting me under a bit of pressure, and I feel like I could go to the nets with them. if I enjoy it, maybe I’ll walk out and go and play a little bit of casual cricket somewhere again and not professional IPL stuff or SA tours.”

De Villiers reflected on the idea of rediscovering his love for the game in a stress-free environment, primarily inspired by his children. “Who knows? But we’ll see. I’m gonna try it again and see if this eye is still working. It’s a bit blurry, but this (the right one) is the dominant one, and it’s working fine. So I’m doing it for my kids and see if I can go out there and enjoy cricket again.”
When asked about role models like 45-year-old Imran Tahir still actively playing, de Villiers expressed admiration. “I’ll maybe ask him to be in my team wherever I go. Just remember this: he’s one of my favourite players. Nothing serious, though. We’re not talking about RCB and big stuff. Yes, I don’t want to feel that pressure again. That’s the thing. So, wherever I go, I’ll have a bit of fun.”

One of the most feared cricketers during his time, de Villiers played 114 Tests, 228 ODIs, and 78 T20Is, in which he broke numerous records, including the fastest fifty, century, and 150 in ODI cricket.
Having become a pivotal part of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the Indian Premier League, de Villiers started his YouTube channel and has tried his hands at cricket commentary too.