Former South Africa captain AB de Villiers is set for a comeback after nearly four years. Days after expressing his interest to play again, the legendary batter is set to lead the Game Changers South Africa Champions in the second edition of the World Championship of Legends (WCL).
"Four years ago, I retired from all cricket because I just didn't feel the urge to play any more. Well, 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," as quoted from a release by WCL.
"So I am heading back to the gym and the nets, and I'll be ready for WCL in July," he added.
De Villiers made his last appearance in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021 for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).
Amandeep Singh , co-Owner of South Africa Champions & founder of Game Changers expressed his excitement over De Villiers joining the side.
"We are honoured to compete in the World Championship of Legends and showcase the incredible talent of our cricketing greats. AB de Villiers' return as our captain is a monumental boost for our team, and his leadership will undoubtedly inspire us to new heights," Amandeep was quoted as saying in a media release by WCL.
Their co-owner Harry Singh hailed the icon who is followed by millions worldwide.
"AB de Villiers is not just a player; he's an icon who has inspired millions around the world. His decision to lead our team is a testament to his love for the game, and we couldn't be more thrilled to have him on board. This marks a historic moment for the team and the league," Harry said.
The founder and CEO of the WCL, Harshit Tomar said that this is the reason why the league was launched.
"This is precisely why we launched the WCL - to bring back the legends we deeply miss. As a fan of AB de Villiers, I'm thrilled to see him return to the field. I'm sure cricket lovers in England and beyond will be delighted by his comeback," Tomar said.
Who won the inaugural edition of WCL?
The inaugural season of WCL was won by Yuvraj Singh-led India Champions. South Africa Champions finished fifth on the points table with two wins from three games. They missed the semifinal spot due to inferior net run rate (NRR) compared to West Indies Champions and India Champions.