AB de Villiers, one of the greatest Modern Day Batter the cricketing world saw, has today announced his retirement from all forms of cricket. He had retired from international cricket in 2018, playing for RCB thereafter for 3 editions of IPL. RCB fans never got the privilege to give him a farewell match.
As a tribute to ABD, we bring to you one of his finest innings. It came at the 2015 World Cup against the Carribean team, West Indies. Scroll down if you want to watch only the video.
South Africa vs West Indies, 19th Match, Pool B (D/N), Sydney, Feb 27 2015, ICC Cricket World Cup
Match Result: South Africa won by 257 runs
Player of the Match: AB de Villiers
Jason Holder | West Indies captain: Did pretty well early on, keeping the run-rate down. But AB took the game away from us. If you take away his innings, it looked a totally different score. We dropped chances, and chasing 400 was always tough. But had we held on to some of those chances, we could have had 350 to chase and could have had the chance.
Our death bowling need to be looked at. Just need to take the positives from today and go on to India. Need to put it behind us, but need to correct the errors moving forward. Still up for the quarter finals. Need to play good cricket.”
AB de Villiers | South Africa Captain and Man of the Match: “They’re quite a few things that played a role. the credit had to go to the guys up front and Rilee’s energy inspired me. That affected me and I wanted to play like that and then I started timing the ball and it all came off. Watching the ball is very important., Get to know your own game, play within your weaknesses and strengths and wait to play to your strenghts.
I dont see it as a risk. I read the situation, I try to read the bowler and I understand my own momentum and I earn the right to go after the bowlers. I didn’t know that, Should have got it at the Wanderers [Fastest 150]. The bounce of the ball went my way, but I’m sure West Indies will bounce back”
“Very enjoyable day. I like to focus on the team, Really good performance after the MCG performance,” continues AB, “Our top three are natural players, they assess conditions very well. They did it perfectly today, Rilee came in and injected momentum and I followed. Its about understanding you wont carry the momentum through the 100 overs and playing around that.
Very happy with Farhaan, he asked me if he had to give me singles and I just said play your game and he hit a six next ball. Tahir has great control and variations. had some stomach problems last night, had a rough night and Doc gave me an injection and I was on my way. Like sea food, love pasta and pizza”
AB de Villers Retirement Speech: Today, I’m going to be making a big announcement, a very emotional announcement: that I’m finished with all formats and all cricket, all around. I do have a smile on my face because I feel I am making the right decision, but obviously deep in my heart I’m incredibly sad.
There are lots of emotions and thoughts going through my mind, of all the years of playing cricket. There are lots of mixed emotions. Things happened very quickly in the last month or so. It’s been on my mind for a quite a bit. I finally just made the decision that it’s time for me to really, truthfully priortise family time and to be just really the best version of myself as much as I can at home.
To all the people in Bangalore, all the people around the world who have followed me, who have supported my RCB team, and any other team that I represented over the years: thank you very much for that. I mean, it’s difficult to put into words what the fans around the world and supporters of cricket, and of my cricket specifically, have meant to me – it has been life-changing. And to each and every person, whether you have criticised me or just loved everything that I have done throughout my career – thank you very much.
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