Twitter in Shock Post AB de Villiers' Sudden Retirement From International Cricket

The game of cricket received a major shock on Wednesday (May 23) evening as one of the modern greats, AB de Villiers’ announced his retirement from all forms of international cricket, with an immediate effect.

One of the darlings of world cricket, the amount of affection and respect de Villiers will always remain unparalleled. Fondly called as Mr. 360, took to Twitter – to make the announcement through a video clip.

In the video statement, de Villiers confirmed that the workload on him finally took a toll on the gifted athlete, which forced him to call it quits from all formats of the game, at the stroke of the 2019 World Cup.

During the video, de Villiers suggested that he was ‘tired’ and would like to move away from the game when he has been playing decent cricket.

Also, AB de Villiers confirmed that he won’t be playing cricket overseas, which indirectly means that Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) might have seen the last of the Superman from South Africa.

Here’s the entire transcript

Prior to the start of the South African summer of cricket, De Villiers remained selectively available for South Africa in all formats of the game.

De Villiers missed out on tours to Australia and England during the seasons of 2016 and 2017 as he only represented the Proteas in limited overs cricket.

However, through his statements, de Villiers suggested that he would be behind Faf du Plessis and his men in their bid for the World Cup of 2019 in England.

In conclusion, the Superman of cricket hopes to continue playing for the Titans in domestic cricket. For obvious reasons, the cricketing community on Twitter did not receive the shocking development well.

Here’s how Twitter reacted following a shocking retirement call from AB de Villiers:

Don't say that AB de Villiers has retired from all forms of international cricket, say that AB de Villiers has retired from cricket in all 360 degrees.

— Trendulkar (@Trendulkar) May 23, 2018

AB De Villiers did what he always does. He has left everyone gasping.

— Sagar (@sagarcasm) May 23, 2018

Such a great bhakt Ab De Villiers is, retired only to take attention away from increasing petrol prices. ?? https://t.co/qLjX2rSNI2

— mthn  (@Being_Humor) May 23, 2018

ABD international career:

420 Matches
20,014 Runs
47 Centuries
109 fifties

One wonderful career!

Thank you AB De Villiers ?

— Broken Cricket (@BrokenCricket) May 23, 2018

" After 114 Test matches, 228 ODI’s and 78 T20 Internationals, it is time for others to take over. I have had my turn, and to be honest, I am tired " ~ AB De Villiers

— Broken Cricket (@BrokenCricket) May 23, 2018

AB de Villiers destroyed Aust earlier this year and at times played as well as I've ever seen any batsman do so. The fact he's retiring without taking a crack at the 2019 World Cup is disappointing

— Daniel Brettig ? (@danbrettig) May 23, 2018

https://twitter.com/iSRKsSoul/status/999253946874068993

AB de Villiers has announced his retirement from international cricket

8,765 Test runs, averaging over 50
9,577 ODI runs, averaging over 50
1,672 T20 runs
47 centuries
109 half-centuries
World's fastest ODI 50, 100 & 150
Fastest Test century by a South African

One of the greats pic.twitter.com/2NdAdez2iH

— bet365 (@bet365) May 23, 2018

Thank you AB de Villiers!

To be honest, I (we) can't thank you enough for making these years of us (cricket fans) so memorable. You haven't won the World Cup, it's alright. You have given us much more than that to remember and feel happy about. @ABdeVilliers17 pic.twitter.com/wIdpgTgyvV

— Jaanvi? (@ThatCric8Girl) May 23, 2018

https://twitter.com/SrJadejaaa/status/999254613336326146

https://twitter.com/SrJadejaaa/status/999254613336326146

James Sutherland said this regarding the T20 calendar in late 2016. Prescient words in AB de Villiers' case https://t.co/UeF8lsWxBJ pic.twitter.com/YUsq5B8qWq

— Daniel Brettig ? (@danbrettig) May 23, 2018

International cricket will miss AB de Villiers..

Thank you AB De Villiers ? pic.twitter.com/zi3Tg1z4tr

— Akshay (@akshay_lak) May 23, 2018

https://twitter.com/binroshieda/status/999251299936997376

AB de Villiers retired from international cricket ???

— JSK (@imjsk27) May 23, 2018

AB de Villiers Retires.

I don't see an old bone in this dude. pic.twitter.com/jOyfA6p3Jz

— Brandon (@Boyas112) May 23, 2018

Wait, what and why? @ABdeVilliers17 – You surely can't be serious. Go get him, @imVkohli and convince him to not do it. He's in one of his best zones, the team needs him too, why would you go now?

— Nikhil ? (@CricCrazyNIKS) May 23, 2018

No way! Why @abdevilliers pic.twitter.com/6ngM3mGrvq

— Swati (@Swatit_1) May 23, 2018

https://twitter.com/SpiceBoxofEarth/status/999248022159552512

Atleast he could have played the WC! End of an era. Nevertheless, #ThankYouAB. https://t.co/vJB1AH93qt

— SB (@niyamagaana) May 23, 2018

https://twitter.com/RahulTailor_/status/999245943462682624

Heartbreaking… ???? #ThankyouAB #CricketMissesyou #Notexpected https://t.co/IkhaiGuFM8

— Sharath kumar (@AlwaysSharath) May 23, 2018

@ABdeVilliers17 retires 4m International cricket. End of an era. Thanks for all the entertainment over the years. One man who is supported by the crowd around d world no matter who he is playing against. Best of d luck 4 future. Hope to see you in IPL next year 🙂 #ABD https://t.co/gAjNXeQnPo

— Achin Jain (@aachinjain) May 23, 2018

https://twitter.com/SamVk1814/status/999249230735728640

Saddest news of the day : AB de Villiers announces his retirement from all forms of international cricket. pic.twitter.com/ltMEXHZzs9

— Usman (@usmansatti93) May 23, 2018

No AB please , please change ur mind . pic.twitter.com/GplCOT1J38

— Indian (@kounjaatho) May 23, 2018

Please say it was a prank ???

— Hrishikesh Jadhav (@hrishikesh_hj) May 23, 2018

You have changed the face of cricket in a positive way. Genuine superstar of the game. Will be greatly missed arround the globe? wishing you a big future in whatever you do?

— Sean Moore (@Seanjames344) May 23, 2018

I can't believe
Why you do this
please think agian and agian about this

— shahnawaz Qaseemi (@Shaheen_khan4) May 23, 2018

I'm absolutely devastated, that test 100 in PE against Australia?

— Andile Qokweni (@BigSlickAceKing) May 23, 2018

Why the fuck did he decide to do that ????
A player beyond anyone’s league, you’ll be missed AB but you should have played WC 2019 ??#ABDevilliers https://t.co/jLo3CmXuj6

— Mridu ⚯͛ (@mj_aIways) May 23, 2018

WTF you doing @ABdeVilliers17 pic.twitter.com/o6xb2iPUJN

— A Chakra Alignist (@Boujwazee) May 23, 2018

International Cricket will miss you @ABdeVilliers17 ?

— Dhoni's Boy ? (@anilSmsd7) May 23, 2018

https://twitter.com/Sassy_Soul_/status/999249186255077376