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Former South Africa captain AB de Villiers has hinted at a possible return to the Indian Premier League (IPL), though in a non-playing capacity, with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).
The 41-year-old, who retired from all forms of cricket in 2021, expressed his willingness to take up a coaching or mentoring role with his former franchise team in the future.
While ruling out a full-fledged professional comeback, de Villiers admitted that his connection with RCB remains unshakable.
“I might be involved with the IPL again in the future in a different role, but committing to a full season in a professional capacity is really tricky, and I believe those days are done,” he said.
“That said, you never say never. My heart is with RCB and always will be. So, if the franchise feels there’s a role for me, when my time is right and ready, it will definitely be RCB.”
Having represented the franchise for over a decade, AB de Villiers remains one of the most celebrated figures in IPL history.
He began his IPL journey with Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) in 2008 before moving to RCB in 2011, where he went on to play 157 matches.
He scored 4,522 runs at an average of 41.10 and an explosive strike rate of 158.33, including two centuries and 37 half-centuries.
One of his most memorable campaigns came in 2016 when he smashed 687 runs and combined with Virat Kohli for a record 229-run stand against Gujarat Lions, still the highest-ever partnership for the second wicket in IPL history.
Overall, de Villiers featured in 184 IPL matches across two franchises, scoring 5,162 runs at a strike rate of 151.68 with three centuries and 40 fifties.
In recognition of his impact, RCB inducted him into their Hall of Fame in 2022 alongside Chris Gayle.
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