AB de Villiers announced his retirement from international cricket with immediate effect. He announced the same through a video that he posted on his social media account.
Mr 360° has played 114 Tests, 228 ODIs and 78 T20Is, scored over 20,000 international runs and has decided to retire on a high after the Test series win against India and Australia that South Africa achieved earlier this year.
The 34-year-old made his international debut against England, in a Test, at Port Elizabeth in December 2004. In a career spanning over 13 years, he has scored 8,765 runs at 50.66 in Tests, 9,577 runs at 53.50 in ODIs and 1,672 runs at a strike rate of 135.16 in T20Is.
Though ABD will continue to play franchise cricket around the world.
Following his retirement, cricket fraternity couldn’t hold themselves back and mourned his retirement.
Here’s how cricket fraternity reacted on Twitter:
Like your on-field game, may you have 360-degree success off the field as well. You will definitely be missed, @ABdeVilliers17. My best wishes to you! pic.twitter.com/LWHJWNXcVG
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) May 23, 2018
I remember this young guy on his 1st day out for Proteas… What an inspiration, person and player he turned out to be. Thank you for everything you have done and been for your country, teammates and fans @ABdeVilliers17 #legend pic.twitter.com/8gQBDWbAp7
— Mark Boucher (@markb46) May 23, 2018
Congratulations @ABdeVilliers17 , the most loved cricketer in the world, on a wonderful career. International cricket will be poorer without you, but you will continue to be celebrated by cricket fans around the world pic.twitter.com/uA7CBlYE9F
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) May 23, 2018
One of the all time greats of the game, many congratulations #ABDevilliers on an outstanding career. The Federer of Cricket, the most loved cricketer on the planet. Wish you the best for your future endeavours. pic.twitter.com/WEuHEdbuQy
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) May 23, 2018
Enjoy your retirement legend, helped to revolutionize modern day batting, you will be missed #MR360 🐐 https://t.co/5jJ7N8NHKf
— Carlos Brathwaite (@CRBrathwaite26) May 23, 2018
Many congratulations @ABdeVilliers17 on a glorious Cricket career. You enriched the game with your ability, presence and mannerisms and will continue to be a role-model for aspiring cricketers. Wish you a very happy post-retirement life.
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) May 23, 2018
One of the world's finest and most versatile batsmen, retires today. He's played brilliantly till now and the world will surely miss seeing him on the field. @ABdeVilliers17
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) May 23, 2018
Such a shame for international cricket @ABdeVilliers17 … But he has been an unbelievable advert to how I would have loved to have played all 3 formats .. GREAT GREAT Player … Top 3 that I have ever seen .. #AB
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) May 23, 2018
When he says it isn't about playing abroad, I wonder if he turning his back on T20 cricket too. There isn't just a lot of money to be made there but much joy to be delivered too. #ABRetires
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) May 23, 2018
Takes a gentleman to know when enough is enough. Was an absolute pleasure to follow your career. Now go find something difficult to do! Well done AB! @ABdeVilliers17 pic.twitter.com/ld0tafzhk9
— Albie Morkel (@albiemorkel) May 23, 2018
True legend. Finishing on top and allowing next generation to step up. The way AB found innovative ways to dominate bowling attacks was an inspiration #ABdeVilliers #AB https://t.co/Khj9UEXo9u
— Alex Blackwell (@AlexBlackwell2) May 23, 2018
@ABdeVilliers17 It was a pleasure to have been involved in many battles with you on the international stage. A true South African legend. #Superman
— Shikhar Dhawan (@SDhawan25) May 23, 2018
The man who showed the world that batting 360° is an easy task. All the best for your future endeavours @ABdeVilliers17, thank you for all the unforgettable memories! pic.twitter.com/9r4AAQDKfj
— R P Singh रुद्र प्रताप सिंह (@rpsingh) May 23, 2018
One of my most cherished wickets! 🙂 Most of the times it was a massive challenge getting you out. Congratulations on a wonderful career @ABdeVilliers17 👏 pic.twitter.com/jezZ1kwDCw
— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) May 23, 2018
Gutted to hear the news!! Surely going to miss your 360 degree game, @ABdevilliers17. All the best buddy! pic.twitter.com/74XhxcEilr
— Surya Kumar Yadav (@surya_14kumar) May 23, 2018
https://twitter.com/hershybru/status/999265009489281030
One of the best! Wish you all the best AB👍 amazing player but above all that great guy… 👍 https://t.co/njEZLnuPit
— Mahela Jayawardena (@MahelaJay) May 23, 2018
A great of the game who entertained all throughout his career congrats @ABdeVilliers17. Wonderful person as well to cap it off. https://t.co/PpKT7iptoh
— Darren Lehmann (@darren_lehmann) May 23, 2018
https://twitter.com/AllanDonald33/status/999257164857462784
Um…what the…just land in Singapore to see this news. The world of cricket will miss your skill on the field, your passion towards the game and he humbleness you showed. All the best for the future. #ABDevilliers https://t.co/H1zplIXkDy
— Lisa Sthalekar (@sthalekar93) May 23, 2018
Sad day for @OfficialCSA and cricket in general, he will be missed!! 🇿🇦🏏 #ABD https://t.co/gKKtq4HAYp
— Marizanne Kapp (@kappie777) May 23, 2018
Absolute stunning international career @ABdeVilliers17!Top bloke and very down 2 earth! A great ambassador for the game and role model 2 so many!will miss watching you play in the green and gold!all the best for the future my friend and thanks for the memories!#prinsvanpretoria pic.twitter.com/A1Zv49J5fN
— Roelof van der Merwe (@Roela52) May 23, 2018
Please let this be a rumour. Please. https://t.co/2gR2HAGMLe
— Snehal Pradhan (@SnehalPradhan) May 23, 2018
Wow! Didn’t see that coming!!
All the best with whatever’s next AB.#whataplayer #freak https://t.co/B46Y5mHqKP— Mpumelelo Mbangwa (@mmbangwa) May 23, 2018
Go Well Abbas @ABdeVilliers17 🙌 https://t.co/e3YJG5r7F2
— Cameron Delport (@Cam12Delport) May 23, 2018
Thank you for all the memories @ABDevilliers17 🙌#ABRetires pic.twitter.com/k1z07madj1
— ICC (@ICC) May 23, 2018
Such a fine fine cricketer ! Congratulations on a glorious career ! Fans in India love you, and will forever ! The ABD chants at Chinnaswamy will live on ….. Good luck with your future endeavours ! ❤️ https://t.co/H9a2MsyGtQ
— Archana Vijaya (@archanavijaya) May 23, 2018
Dear Abraham Benjamin de Villiers, you class act, the #ProteaFire will not be the same without you! Take a bow! #WhistlePodu @ABdeVilliers17 🦁💛
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) May 23, 2018
As the Proteas legend @ABdeVilliers17 calls it a day on his international career, we at BCCI would like to wish him all the very best for his future endeavours #ABRetires pic.twitter.com/3iRCrJjva6
— BCCI (@BCCI) May 23, 2018
2️⃣3️⃣ World Cup apps
4️⃣ 100s
6️⃣ 50s
1️⃣2️⃣0️⃣7️⃣ runs
1️⃣6️⃣2️⃣* high score
6️⃣3️⃣.5️⃣ averageHappy retirement, @ABdeVilliers17! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/YDZl7mjD4d
— ICC Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) May 23, 2018
