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Former South African captain AB de Villiers has officially confirmed his return to cricket, marking his first appearance since retiring from all formats four years ago. The legendary batter will lead the South Africa Champions in the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025, set to take place in July.
A Comeback Inspired by Family
De Villiers, one of the most innovative and dynamic batters in cricket history, initially stepped away from international cricket in 2018, continuing his franchise career until his full retirement in 2021. However, the 40-year-old recently revealed that his young sons’ love for cricket reignited his passion for the game.
“Four years ago, I retired from all cricket because I just didn’t feel the urge to play anymore,” said de Villiers. “But time has passed, and my young sons have started playing the game. We’ve been playing more and more often in the garden, and, well, it feels as though some kind of flame has been lit again.”
Determined to make a strong return, de Villiers is already preparing for his comeback. “I am heading back to the gym and the nets, and I’ll be ready for WCL in July,” he added.
What is the WCL?
The World Championship of Legends (WCL) is a T20 tournament featuring retired and non-contracted cricketers representing their national teams. The upcoming 2025 edition will be the second season of the tournament, following its inaugural edition in 2024, where Yuvraj Singh’s India Champions emerged as winners.
De Villiers’ last competitive appearance was in the IPL 2021, playing for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). His return to cricket is set to thrill fans worldwide as they eagerly await the comeback of one of the sport’s all-time greats.
