Nearly two months after the suspensions of Steve Smith and David Warner; two big names of world cricket, AB de Villiers, another superstar has announced his retirement from all international cricket leaving cricket fans stunned.
AB de Villiers, popularly known as Mr.360 on social media, officially announced this shocking news by posting a video on Twitter and Facebook. The video, which was shot at the very place where he started his journey with the Proteas, Pretoria, has been the most viewed and shared cricket video during the last 24 hours.
AB retires from all international cricket
The 34-year-old star batsman’s sudden retirement took over social media news feeds in a flash as the cricketing fraternity started posting their feelings on the former Protea skipper’s announcement.
This is what our own heroes felt about the departure of a great from the game,
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) 23 May 2018
Congrats on a spectacular career @ABdeVilliers17 great entertainer fabulous player and a wonderful human being.all the best for ur future endeavours #champion
— Angelo Mathews (@Angelo69Mathews) 23 May 2018
What an incredible player!! best wishes to your future. It was an absolute joy to watch you play @ABdeVilliers17
— Upul Tharanga (@upultharanga44) 23 May 2018
One of the greats of the game Hangs up his boots…many congratulation @ABdeVilliers17 on a outstanding carrer.
You ll always be loved in Sri lanka…. #ABDevilliers pic.twitter.com/C4QtP2uwNy— Dimuth Karunaratne (@IamDimuth) 23 May 2018
Cricket will surely miss you @ABdeVilliers17 what a talent. Arguably one of the best batsmen in modern era. Wishing you good luck for your future endeavors. #champion #abd
— Lahiru Thirimanna (@thiri66) 23 May 2018
Indian cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle had some interesting ideas on the retirement of AB too:
Must admit to being a bit shocked by @ABdeVilliers17 decision to quit all international cricket. We knew it was coming but I thought he would give the World Cup another shot.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) 23 May 2018
I said in a blog sometime back that @ABdeVilliers17 was the true natural successor to Lara. He too can ask ” Did I entertain?” And the answer would be a resounding “Yes. Yes!”
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) 23 May 2018
#ABdeVilliers played cricket exactly as it should be played. As fun. As an adventure. As joy.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) 23 May 2018
AB has always been hailed as one of the great sportmen, both on and off the field and these well wishes came in from all over the world.
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) 23 May 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) 23 May 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) 23 May 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) 23 May 2018
Best wishes AB post retirement, hope life is as exciting as your game. Regards to the family @ABdeVilliers17
— Rohit Sharma (@ImRo45) 23 May 2018
One of the greatest ever!
— Moeen Ali (@MoeenAli) 23 May 2018
The world of cricket will definitely miss you, @ABdeVilliers17! Loads and loads of love from all of us in India. Enjoy your second innings. #TopMan #Mr360 #Superman
— Suresh Raina (@ImRaina) 23 May 2018
Congratulations to @ABdeVilliers17 on wonderful & graceful Career ???? , thanks for all the entertainment u provided to all of us , one of the toughest competitor in the Feild & fine human being , Good luck for ur future plans , stay blessed
— Mohammad Hafeez (@MHafeez22) 23 May 2018
Congratulations on a wonderful career @ABdeVilliers17 . It was great playing with you. All my best wishes to you for the life ahead.
— Jasprit bumrah (@Jaspritbumrah93) 23 May 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) 23 May 2018
Everyone knows when their time has arrived,abbas is no different. Congrats on a wonderful career @ABdeVilliers17 ?
— Herschelle Gibbs (@hershybru) 23 May 2018
Thank you @abdevilliers17 for being a big brother to me. I’ve learnt a great deal from you. The whole cricketing world and the fans will miss your magic. Thank you for the unlimited entertainment that you’ve given all of us. Won’t be another one like you Mr.360 #wewillmissuABD pic.twitter.com/prjEoHQxQz
— Yuzvendra Chahal (@yuzi_chahal) 23 May 2018
“Cricket is a very simple game KL. The more u keep it that way the more the game will give you back.”
This Is the advice this great man gave me when I was 21. You will always be my Favourite Cricketer @ABdeVilliers17 ??? #ThankYouABD pic.twitter.com/ceGpu5uw8j— K L Rahul (@klrahul11) 23 May 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) 23 May 2018
U @ABdeVilliers17 hav been true champ and someone who brought new dimension to batting and athleticism . A player worth watching . Best of luck with whatever u do ? https://t.co/3fpx5Kn9BV
— Salman Butt (@im_SalmanButt) 23 May 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) 23 May 2018
As a true legend of the game bids adieu to international cricket, it also should be mentioned that this decision is not only a huge loss for the South Africans, it also comes at a disappointing time for AB fans in Sri Lanka as the South Africans are scheduled to tour the island in the near
