South African superstar #ABDeVilliers had announced his #retirement from all forms of international #cricket leaving fans all over the world gasping as he did during his playing days.
His international career spanned 114 Tests, 228 ODI'S and 79 T2OI's from which he scored over #20000internationalruns .He bows out as South Africa's 4th most successful Test batsman with 8765 runs at 50.66 second highest run getter in ODI's with 9577 runs at 53.50 and second in T20I's with 1672 runs at 26.12 .He scored 22 Test centuries 25 in ODI's, and a best of 79 in T20I's.
But the all-important question that must be haunting every #cricketfan across the world now is why #ABD the most #completebatsman of his generation playing the best cricket of his life retire so abruptly with the #ICCcricketworldcup less than a year away and the African nation looking up to their greatest ODI player to bring the elusive trophy home.
All of this has been answered by the man himself as he gives us a peek into his genius mind
1) Amount of cricket being played:-
The ICC tour for the top nations includes a jam packed calendar having a mix of Tests, ODI's & T20's with cricket virtually being played throughout the year .That does not help the cause of the players who play all the 3 formats as they go through the grinds of international cricket through seasons without any proper rest.
As quoted by the man himself:
"He is #tired and has run out of gas giving us insights into how much of a toll the grinds of international cricket has had on his mind and body. After 14 long years of non-stop #competitive cricket he does not want to drop his level of play or his intensity on the field because he feels he no longer can push his body beyond its limit".
2) Right to pick and choose tournaments :-
It has always been a unsaid rule in the world of international sports that great sportsperson in the twilight of the careers pick and choose tournaments which they like to play to prolong their career, mostly because they have earned the right to do so with their record breaking career . #ABD took time off from Test cricket in 2016-17 to avoid burnout and keep himself fresh for 2019 World Cup. But this time around as quoted by the great man himself "It would not be right for me to pick and choose where, when and in what format i play for the Proteas. For me in the green and gold it must be everything or nothing".
3) Giving ample time to his young family:-
His packed international schedule means he has to spend most of his waking time on tour away from his wife and young son which must have been one of the primary deciding factors in De Villiers deciding to retire.
4) Going out on a High:-
Most of the players retire when they become a shadow of their former selves, not able to contribute even a fraction of what they were able to at their peak or are forced to retire when they are made clear that they don’t automatically find a place in the side. But ABD retired when he was at the top of his game #mesmerizing and bringing bowlers into #submission with panache. Few players around the world can claim to go out on a high like him with the only exception of #GlennMcgrath.
As quoted by the man himself "I would like to retire while still playing decent cricket .After the fantastic series win against Australia and India, now feels like the right time to step aside".
5) Making way for the next generation players:-
He feels he has had his time in International cricket and now it’s time to a make way for the youngsters so that they can be properly groomed for the grueling schedules of international cricket.
6) It’s not about the money:-
Despite his retirement from international cricket #ABD could have earned loads of money playing in the cash rich leagues around the world where people would have paid any amount of money to see him play, but he would prefer not to play in any of those as he has run out of all energy and enthusiasm for it but would be available only for his home team #Titans.
A quoted by the man himself :
"It’s not about earning more somewhere else, it’s about running out of gas and feeling it is the right time to move on ".
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