Lagatar24 Desk
Mumbai, May 24: AB de Villiers, the legendary South African cricketer, has confirmed that he would play in the Indian Premier League (IPL) next year for the Royal Challengers Bangalore. However, de Villiers did not provide many details about his role, although it is almost certain that he would not return to RCB as a player.
Before the start of IPL 2023, he could join the team as a consultant or mentor. In an interview with Danish Sait, former RCB captain Virat Kohli intimated that de Villiers is likely to join the RCB team next year.
“I am glad that Virat’s confirmed it. To be honest, we haven’t decided anything on it yet but I will be around the IPL next year, I am missing it, don’t know in which capacity yet,” de Villiers told VUSport.
De Villiers also said that he would love to return to witness the Chinnaswamy stadium (RCB’s home ground in Bangalore) in full capacity.
“I have heard that there might be some games in Bangalore next year and I would like to visit my second home and watch the full capacity Chinnaswamy stadium – I am looking forward to it,” he added.
De Villiers, who last played for RCB in the IPL in 2021, has decided not to return this year. Kohli, who resigned as RCB captain ahead of the season, said he misses him a lot and expects him to return to the team in some capacity soon.
Notably, de Villiers is one of the most successful international cricketers in the IPL. He began his IPL career with the Delhi Daredevils before joining RCB in 2011 and playing for them for 11 seasons until last year. With 4522 runs in 157 games, the prodigious right-hander is RCB’s second-highest run-scorer.
