One of the greatest batsmen of the modern era, AB de Villiers, who shocked the entire cricket world by his surprising decision of retiring from all format of the International cricket on Wednesday (23 May), received the huge applause from ICC chief executive David Richardson for his contribution to the game.

The 34-year-old right-hander, who has the ability to hit any dangerous bowler across the ground, has played 114 Test, 78 T20Is and 228 ODIs in which he scored 8765, 1672, and 9577 runs respectively in his one and half decade long cricketing career for South Africa.

De Villiers is not only known for his brilliant batting, but also his “Superman” fielding and wicket-keeping talent, finishing with 463 catches, and 17 stumpings for South Africa.

As per reports in ICC’s official website, Richardson said of the talented Proteas cricketer, “AB is undoubtedly one of cricket’s great entertainers and a genuinely special and instinctive talent. Time and time again he has left cricket fans around the world marveling at his feats with the bat and in the field. International cricket will sorely miss him.”

The ICC executive, who played 42 Tests and 122 ODIs for Proteas, has thanked de Villiers on behalf of the ICC for his outstanding contribution to cricket and wished him all the best for the future.

Richardson signed off by saying, “His outstanding international record reflects the kind of dominance he has had over bowlers and I thank him on behalf of the ICC for a fine career and an outstanding contribution to cricket and wish him all the best for the future.”