Royal Challengers Bangalore Hall of Famer AB de Villers confirmed that he will be back in IPL 2023 in some capacity. The South African legend had announced his retirement from all forms of cricket last year. In a decade-long stint with RCB, he scored 4491 runs. 

Earlier this month, the IPL franchise induced ABD and Chris Gayle into their Hall of Fame. 

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De Villiers had an IPL average of 41.08 and strike rate of 152.70. The Protea scored three centuries and 40 fifties, his highest score being 133 runs.

Former RCB captain and close friend of de Villers, Virat Kohli, had dropped a hint on the South African returning to the Royal Challengers Bangalore next year. 

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“I am glad to hear Virat confirmed it. To be honest, we haven’t decided on anything yet. I will definitely be around IPL next year. I am not sure in what capacity but I am missing getting back there,” AB de Villiers told VUSport.

“I have heard a little bird tweeting, saying that there might be some games in Bangalore. So I would love to return to my second hometown (Bangalore) and watch the full capacity stadium there at the Chinnaswamy again. I would love to return, I am looking forward to it,” he added.

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Kohli had said that ABD ‘is very keenly watching RCB, hopefully [we see him] here next year in some capacity’. 

Faf du Plessis and co will face the Lucknow Super Giants in the Eliminator of IPL 2022. The winner of the game will play the loser of the Qualifier 1 between the Gujarat Titans and Rajasthan Royals – in the Qualifier 2. The winner of both the qualifiers will play the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahemdabad on May 29.