With a desire for a coaching or mentoring position with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the future, former South African batting legend AB de Villiers has hinted at a potential return to the Indian Premier League (IPL) in a new capacity.

RCB was where AB De Villiers played the majority of his IPL career. Before joining RCB in 2011, the wicketkeeper-batter played for the Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) for three seasons, beginning in 2008, when he began his IPL career.

De Villiers declared that a full-time comeback to the IPL is improbable after retiring from all forms of cricket in 2021. He still has a close relationship with RCB, though, and is prepared if the IPL 2025 winners need him.

"I might be involved with the IPL again in the future in a different role, but committing to a full season in a professional capacity is really tricky, and I believe those days are done. That said, you never say never. My heart is with RCB and always will be. So, if the franchise feels there's a role for me (as a coach or mentor), when my time is right and ready, it will definitely be RCB," AB de Villiers told IANS.

AB de Villiers made 5162 runs in 184 IPL matches with three centuries and 40 fifties at a strike rate of 151.68. For RCB, he smashed 4,522 runs in the 157 matches at an average of 41.10 and a blistering strike rate of 158.33. He also scored two centuries and 37 fifties for Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

De Villiers holds the IPL record for the highest partnership in league history, when he added 229 runs with Virat Kohli in IPL 2016. In 2022, De Villiers was inducted into the RCB Hall of Fame alongside Chris Gayle.