'Play for India' - Twitter goes berserk after AB de Villiers confirms retirement 'once and for all'

May 18, Tuesday was a day of disappointment for the cricket fans, especially the South Africa cricket fans. In April, there was more than a ray of hope amidst the cricket fans as former South Africa captain and batting powerhouse AB de Villiers hinted towards his potential comeback to international cricket. 

In 2018, South Africa lost a gem from their cricket squad as Ab de Villiers abruptly announced his retirement from the big stage. De Villiers’ last outing for Proteas came against Australia in a Test match at Johannesburg in March-April 2018 as in the very next month, he put forth his decision of hanging his boots at the age of 34.

Though de Villiers decided to bid adieu to international cricket, he continued proving why he is known as a cricket prodigy by appearing in various T20 leagues across the globe, mainly the Indian Premier League (IPL). Three years after his sudden retirement, the 37-year-old hinted towards his comeback to the South Africa squad.

The same sentiments were echoed by South Africa head coach Mark Boucher and Cricket South Africa (CSA) Director Graeme Smith. While speaking in a post-match presentation of an IPL game, AB had said that he is looking forward to making his comeback and is absolutely ready to play for South Africa in the upcoming T20 tournament, scheduled in India in October and November.

CSA releases an official statement 

A few days back, Graeme Smith also hinted at the potential comeback of Mr. 360 by saying that it will be good to have players like AB for the upcoming five-match T20I series against West Indies. However, the cricket fans were only met with disappointment when the squads for South Africa’s tours of West Indies and Ireland were announced on Tuesday (May 18) and De Villiers’ name was missing.

Soon after CSA released an official statement announcing, “Discussions with AB de Villiers have concluded with the batsman deciding once and for all, that his retirement will remain final,” 

The latest development regarding AB de Villiers has enraged the fans to no extent as they can’t wrap their head around what transpired behind the scenes that AB de Villiers had to take such a decision. Many cricket enthusiasts took to social media to slam CSA for playing politics and stopping AB’s comeback to the side.

Here’s how Twitter reacted:

@ABdeVilliers17 , You can play from India as Wicketkeeper in place of Rishabh Pant, as he hasn't done anything in ODI and T20, he is suitable for Test. #AbDeVilliers #RCB #Cricket #southafrica #cricbuzzlive #CricTracker #ipl2021live #IPL

— Atul Singh Bisht (@bishtatul50) May 19, 2021

Acha hi huya ABD retirement se vapis nhi Aya, nhi to Sala tension ho jati ki WC mein India ko support kre ya ABD ko 😂😂 #AbDeVilliers #ABD

— StevenCold (@captain_offi) May 19, 2021

Play for India please#AbDeVilliers

— Meme Sense (@MemeSense1) May 18, 2021

#AbDeVilliers can play for India

— veeresha baligara (@TheNameIsVeer) May 18, 2021

Take indian citizenship we love to see you play for india #AbDeVilliers

— siri (@siri2005) May 18, 2021

#AbDeVilliers isn't coming back From Retirement.
Now team India will not face AB in upcoming T20 world cup

Le Indian right now: pic.twitter.com/I6uYCj83LN

— Urwashi_07 (@UGwalwanshi) May 18, 2021

legends never retire…🙌

India should keep #AbDeVilliers forever…❤️#AbDeVilliers pic.twitter.com/LTieHmVSgI

— Smrati dubey (@Smrati16083930) May 18, 2021

Craze level in india🔥🥀#AbDeVilliers #lordofcricket #rcb #SouthAfrica pic.twitter.com/n5fMqS2Vx3

— ᴄʜɪᴋᴋᴜ_ᴋᴏʜʟɪ⚡18 (@chirag_parmar17) May 18, 2021

Cricket South Africa announced that AB de Villiers won't be coming out of international retirement ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup in India, saying that he has decided "once and for all" that his mind will not change. @ABdeVilliers17

— Shareef Shaik (@nagulsheriff) May 18, 2021