WATCH: AB de Villiers drops hint about IPL comeback for RCB after WCL title win

The dreams of Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) fans to witness AB de Villiers in RCB colors one last time have been dashed yet again, despite his brilliant performances in the World Championship of Legends 2025 (WCL). The South African icon looked as sharp and elegant as always and led the South Africa Champions to the title with his typical flair and calmness. His resurgence sparked excitement among fans, who hoped for a fairytale return to the IPL.

Following the WCL final, when Shubhankar Mishra asked AB whether he would consider coming out of retirement to play one last IPL season for RCB, the Proteas great ended all speculation. In his usual composed and humble manner, de Villiers explained that while he remains fit and active, the demands of the IPL are simply too intense. He pointed out the Indian Premier League's three-month duration, stressing that it's not just about being in shape—it's about being mentally and physically ready to handle the pressure day in and day out.

“I'll be too nervous, man. I think I'd rather just support; I'm a very good supporter. Yeah, the IPL is just a very long tournament. It's almost a three-month tournament. It is a really big commitment for someone at the age of 41. You can't compare me to Imran Tahir. I work a lot harder. I had a lot more hard work. I think throughout the years,” de Villiers said, making it clear that a comeback would require more than just desire—it would demand full-scale commitment and intense preparation.

“We’re all different”—AB reflects on comparisons, retirement, and moving on

Addressing comparisons with other veteran cricketers like Imran Tahir, who at 46 continues to play in T20 leagues worldwide, AB responded with respect and perspective. “I mean, that's crazy. I'll take my hat to them. That's absolutely amazing. And I mean, you've got to look up to that. But we're all different, and I think that is the beautiful part of the sport—some guys feel they've had enough after the age of 30. Some are only at 40. It depends,” he explained, emphasizing that every athlete’s journey is unique and personal.

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As he signed off, de Villiers looked back at his career with pride and gratitude. “So, I'm just, first of all, thankful that I could actually have a very lengthy career from the age of 20 right through to whenever I retired. I don't even know how long it was. It felt quite long. But I gave it my best shot, and I'm happy.” His words echoed the sentiments of fans who watched him light up the IPL for over a decade, especially for RCB, where he scored 4178 of his 5162 IPL runs, including 3 centuries and 40 fifties. Although not making a return to the field, AB de Villiers will always be a firm icon in the RCB legacy.