New Delhi: Indian cricket team skipper Virat Kohli has sent a heartfelt message to South African batting superstar AB De Villiers, who recently called time on his illustrious international career. Couple of days ago, De Villiers stunned one and all by announcing his retirement from all forms of international cricket with immediate effect.
Wishes poured in for the Mr 360 of Cricket following this announcement, but ABD's Royal Challengers Bangalore teammate and Indian skipper Virat Kohli has finally broken his silence and said something about his retirement.
The mutual respect between the two superstars of world cricket has been well documented since the two joined forces at RCB in the Indian Premier League.
Kohli took to Twitter to lavish praise on de Villiers and his post read: "Wish you all the best in everything that you do my brother. You’ve changed the way batting was seen in the time you’ve played international cricket. My best wishes to you and your family for this amazing journey ahead @ABdeVilliers17"
Wish you all the best in everything that you do my brother. You’ve changed the way batting was seen in the time you’ve played international cricket. My best wishes to you and your family for this amazing journey ahead 😃👍 @ABdeVilliers17pic.twitter.com/uxtRAPl3zA
"This is the high performance centre in Pretoria where 14 seasons ago I arrived as a nervous youngster when I was first called into the Proteas squad. Today at the same place, I want to let you know that I have decided to retire from all international cricket with immediate effect. After 114 Test matches, 228 ODIs and 78 T20Is, it is time for others to take over. I have had my turn and to be honest, I am tired. This is a tough decision, I thought long and hard about it and I would like to retire while still playing decent cricket. After the fantastic series against India and Australia, now feels the right time to step aside. It would not be right for me to pick and choose where and when and in what format I play for the Proteas. For me, in green and gold, it must be everything or nothing. I will always be grateful to my teammates, the coaches and the staff of Cricket South Africa for their support through all these years. It is not about earning more somewhere else, it is about running out of gas and feeling it is time to move on. Everything comes to an end and to cricket fans in South Africa and around the world, thank you very much for your kindness, generosity and your understanding. I have no plans to play overseas, in fact, I hope I can continue to be available for the Titans in domestic cricket. I will continue to be the biggest supporter of Faf du Plessis and the Proteas," de Villiers said in his retirement address.
de Villiers, who debuted for South Africa in December 2004, appeared in 114 Test matches scoring 8765 runs at an average of 50.66. He has 22 centuries and 46 half-centuries to his name in cricket's longest format.
ABD, as he is known world over, was a force to reckon with in the shorter formats as he amassed 9577 runs at an average of 53.50 with 25 centuries and 53 half-centuries under his belt. He has also scored 1672 runs in 78 T20 international matches.
de Villiers was recently part of the Royal Challengers Bangalore team that failed to qualify for the play-offs of the Indian Premier League.
He captained South Africa to the semi-finals of the 2015 ICC World Cup, where he score 482 runs at an average of 96. He holds the unique record of scoring the fastest 50 (in 16 balls), fastest 100 (in 31 balls) and fastest 150 (in 64 balls) in ODI cricket.
AB de Villiers was known as a '360 degree' batsman who could play shots in all directions and his attacking batting style has often been compared to that of Sir Viv Richards'.
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