Cricket fraternity pays rich tribute to AB de Villiers

The cricket fraternity paid tribute to AB de Villiers after he announced his retirement from all forms of cricket on Friday (November 19). The former South Africa batter, who took international retirement in 2018, continued to play in several T20 leagues across the globe. Notably, he played each season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and richly contributed to the team’s success.

The former South Africa cricketer has given countless memories to his fans and contemporaries. Cricketers like Virat Kohli, Babar Azam, Liam Livingstone, Mujeeb ur Rahman, Shikhar Dhawan, Chris Gayle, Shane Watson, and Wasim Jaffer were among several players who paid tribute to the legendary South African player. De Villiers finishes his Proteas career, scoring 20014 runs across the three formats. He still holds the record for scoring the fastest fifty and hundred in the history of ODI cricket.

De Villiers holds the record of smashing the most consecutive fifties (12) in Test cricket. His average of 63.52 in 50-over World Cups is the best among the batters to have played a minimum of 20 matches in the showpiece event.

In the IPL, he is the sixth-highest run-scorer with 5162 runs in 184 matches. He is also the only foreign player to have played at least one match in each season of the IPL. It has been an incredible journey for the legendary cricketer, one which he can be very proud of.

To the best player of our times and the most inspirational person I've met, you can be very proud of what you've done and what you've given to RCB my brother. Our bond is beyond the game and will always be.

— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) November 19, 2021

You were my childhood inspiration and I always tried to learn from your charismatic approach. I still remember the first time I met you and how welcoming you were. You have inspired many generations of cricket. Wish you the very best and a happy retirement, @ABdeVilliers17! ❤️ pic.twitter.com/nlqsyW8iSI

— Babar Azam (@babarazam258) November 19, 2021

Changed the game by himself! Legend 🙌🙌 https://t.co/0hzu10ca3X

— Liam Livingstone (@liaml4893) November 19, 2021

The cricket fraternity will always miss ur Mr class 360 @ABdeVilliers17 . A man of commitment a man of innovation in cricket field. Wish u best of luck in life. pic.twitter.com/7kNfAWwKOU

— Muj R 88 (@Mujeeb_R88) November 19, 2021

Your contribution to cricket has been immense @ABdeVilliers17 🙌 A true legend of this beautiful game and a wonderful athlete. Good luck for whatever the future has in store for you 😊 https://t.co/Yh4huPUH7n

— Shikhar Dhawan (@SDhawan25) November 19, 2021

Happy Retirement, @abdevilliers17 - All the best in your next chapter, it was a pleasure sharing a dressing room with you! #Legend 🙏🏿✊🏿 https://t.co/392KzB65cx

— Chris Gayle (@henrygayle) November 19, 2021

The biggest congratulations to @ABdeVilliers17 on a mind-blowing cricket career. The things you did on the cricket field, us mere mortals could only watch on in awe.
And to go with it, the sweetest and kindest teammate I have ever played with.
Enjoy the next exciting phase.

— Shane Watson (@ShaneRWatson33) November 19, 2021

Congratulations on a phenomenal career @ABdeVilliers17 👏🏼 One of the most loved and admired cricketers of the modern era. Happy retirement legend. #ThankYouAB pic.twitter.com/1CNOiVfHte

— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) November 19, 2021

Thank you for the memories, the records broken and the entertainment @ABdeVilliers17 💚

We salute your contribution to the game and wish you everything of the best for the future 🇿🇦 #ThankYouAB pic.twitter.com/iL74NShG4W

— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) November 19, 2021

It's been a legendary journey gentleman. Here's to the best days ahead of us.. congrats on a sterling career @ABdeVilliers17 just a chilled day in the Caribbean sitting between 2 GOATS 🐐 of the game.. privileged to have shared the field with them🙏 @DaleSteyn62 pic.twitter.com/HKfUfztj4b

— JP Duminy (@jpduminy21) November 19, 2021