By Zainab Shafiq 
In a moment that perfectly sums up his cheeky charm, AB de Villiers has once again quashed any hopes of returning to the Indian Premier League, confirming that he’s quite content cheering from the sidelines. The former South African captain, who last featured in the IPL in 2021, delivered a humorous take on the idea of coming back to the high-octane league, citing age, commitment, and tongue-in-cheek comparisons to MS Dhoni as reasons for staying retired.
“I’d be too nervous. The IPL is just too long, three months! That’s a massive ask for someone who’s 41. I’m a good supporter now,” said de Villiers during a chat on Shubhankar Mishra’s podcast. With trademark wit, he added, “Don’t compare me to Dhoni. I worked a lot harder!” though he quickly clarified it was all in jest.
Despite his retirement, with AB de Villiers not playing IPL, the absence continues to spark curiosity online, especially after his recent fiery performance in the World Championship of Legends (WCL), where he smashed three centuries and led South Africa Champions to the title, including a match-winning ton in the final against Pakistan Champions. His performance reignited fans’ hopes of a Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) reunion, hopes that de Villiers playfully shut down.
Why AB de Villiers is Not Playing IPL Isn’t Bad News for Fans
He says: “Everyone loves RCB” – even in the UK.
Even without wielding the bat in the IPL, de Villiers continues to enjoy cult status among RCB fans. At a WCL game in Northampton, UK, he was welcomed with passionate RCB chants.
“Everyone loves RCB,” he said. “It was surreal hearing the chants again. It shows the reach and love this franchise commands. And yes, I’m proud that RCB finally won the IPL!”
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