After a bittersweet ending to IPL 2021, RCB fans were excited to know the retention list of the franchise as the mega IPL 2022 auction was just around the corner. The question was answered when the franchise retained Virat Kohli, Glenn Maxwell and Mohammed Siraj.
After RCB’s retention list, fans were eager to know AB de Villiers’ future in the IPL. However, it turned out that RCB will remain the last team that De Villiers represents in IPL as the South African legend announced his retirement from all forms of cricket in November 2021.
The 37-year-old cricketing legend may not have much cricket left in him but his decision received mixed reactions from fans. While some fans felt it was the right time for him to hang up his gloves, others felt he could have gone a little longer.
Ever since the decision, it was the first time that De Villiers decided to open up on the situation that triggered his decision. He revealed he sort of made this decision during the IPL 2021 season.
"Cricketing wise, it has been coming for quite some time, it's always been about enjoyment for me. And the minute where I felt the difficulty of travelling and being there at the IPL for two and half to three months a year, specifically with this one that was spilt into two, bubbles and this and that made things very complicated with regards to cricket and the enjoyment thereof," said AB de Villiers in a chat with TimesLive.
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The Indian Premier League had to be split into two parts, the first was held in India, which got postponed due to the COVID outbreak and the remainder was held in UAE in September-October the same year.
De Villiers mentioned this took a toll on him, more mentally than physically. The former South African skipper revealed that it was always the love towards the game that drive him to play and perform well in his games, but the moment he realised that it was no longer there, was the time he felt it was the right time to go.
"I found myself on the park where scoring runs and doing well for the team didn't really match with everything that goes with it anymore and that is where the balance started leading towards hanging my gloves up. I have never been the guy who is going to push every single bit of energy of my ability and my cricketing skill, I have always played for the enjoyment of the game. And the minute that sort of started going down, I knew it was time for me to move on," de Villiers added.
