AB de Villiers, the South African cricket legend, might return to the Indian Premier League (IPL) as a coach or mentor for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).
Part of Delhi Daredevils
De Villiers played for Delhi Daredevils from 2008 to 2010 before joining RCB in 2011, where he became a fan favourite. In 157 matches for RCB, he scored 4522 runs at 41.10 and a strike rate of 158.33, numbers that speak for themselves.
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De Villiers has hinted at a possible return to the IPL in a different role, saying he would like to coach or mentor with RCB in the future. He spent most of his IPL career with RCB, was one of their star players. He started his IPL career with Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) in 2008, played for them for three seasons before joining RCB in 2011.
De Villiers retired from all forms of cricket in 2021. While he said a full-time professional commitment to the league is now tough, his connection with RCB remains strong. If the franchise thinks he can help the team, he is ready to return.
Might make a IPL return
I might be involved with the IPL again at some point in a different role, de Villiers told IANS. But committing to a full season as a professional is really tough, and I think those days are over for me. Still, you never know. RCB is where my heart is, and it always will be. So, if they feel I can help as a coach or mentor and the timing is right, I’ll definitely be there for RCB.
His 4522 runs for RCB included 2 centuries and 37 fifties.
De Villiers also holds the record for the highest partnership in IPL history. He and Virat Kohli added 229 runs for the second wicket against the now-defunct Gujarat Lions in 2016. That season he scored 687 runs, finishing third in the runs chart.
AB De Villiers IPL career
Across two franchises, the former RCB player played 184 IPL matches, scored 5162 runs at a strike rate of 151.68, 40 fifties and 3 centuries.
In 2022, De Villiers and Chris Gayle were inducted into the RCB Hall of Fame.He was RCB’s second most popular player after Virat Kohli.
He was at the IPL 2025 final where RCB won their first title. Chris Gayle was there too. De Villiers and Gayle never won an IPL title.
