De
Villiers,
the
former
South
African
batter
announced
his
retirement
from
all
forms
of
cricket.
Kohli,
his
RCB
teammate
said
the
bond
between
the
two
cricketers
is
“beyond
the
game
and
will
always
be.”

“To
the
best
player
of
our
times
and
the
most
inspirational
person
I’ve
met,
you
can
be
very
proud
of
what
you’ve
done
and
what
you’ve
given
to
RCB
my
brother.
Our
bond
is
beyond
the
game
and
will
always
be,”
Kohli
tweeted.

“This
hurts
my
heart
but
I
know
you’ve
made
the
best
decision
for
yourself
and
your
family
like
you’ve
always
done.
I
love
you,”
he
added.

The
decorated
South
Africa
batter,
who
began
his
RCB
career
in
2011,
enjoyed
10
seasons,
being
a
crucial
part
of
5
playoff
runs
in
his
time.

De
Villiers
also
said
leaving
the
Royal
Challengers
Bangalore
(RCB)
family
is
“extremely
bittersweet”
and
thanked
Kohli,
teammates,
coaches
and
support
staff
for
all
the
support.

AB
de
Villiers
has
played
156
matches
for
RCB
and
scored
4,491
runs.
He
is
the
second
all-time
leading
run-scorer
behind
Kohli
and
holds
the
second
and
third-highest
individual
run
total
in
RCB
history
with
133
not
out
against
Mumbai
Indians
(in
2015)
and
an
unbeaten
129
against
Gujarat
Lions
(in
2016).

“I
have
had
a
long
and
fruitful
time
playing
for
RCB.
Eleven
years
have
just
whizzed
by
and
leaving
the
boys
is
extremely
bittersweet.

“Of
course,
arriving
at
this
decision
took
a
lot
of
time,
but
after
a
lot
of
contemplation,
I’ve
decided
to
hang
up
my
boots
and
spend
quality
time
with
my
family,”
said
De
Villiers
in
a
statement
by
RCB.

“I
would
like
to
thank
the
RCB
management,
my
friend
Virat
Kohli,
teammates,
coaches,
support
staff,
fans,
and
the
entire
RCB
family
for
showing
faith
and
supporting
me
all
through
these
years.
It
has
been
a
memorable
journey
with
RCB.

“Have
so
many
memories
on
the
personal
front
to
cherish
for
the
lifetime.
RCB
will
always
be
very
close
to
me
and
my
family
and
will
continue
to
support
this
amazing
team.
I
am
a
RCBian
forever,”
he
added.

The
decorated
South
Africa
batter,
who
began
his
RCB
career
in
2011,
enjoyed
10
seasons,
being
a
crucial
part
of
5
playoff
runs
in
his
time.

RCB
said
De
Villiers
has
made
immense
contributions
for
the
side
and
will
go
down
as
one
of
the
greatest
players
in
the
team’s
illustrious
history.

“AB
de
Villiers
has
been
among
the
best
ambassadors
of
the
game,
and
we
are
honoured
to
have
him
represent
RCB
in
the
IPL.
His
work
ethics
have
been
impeccable,
which
has
not
only
rubbed
off
on
the
team,
but
has
left
a
high
benchmark
for
other
youngsters
to
follow,”
said
Prathmesh
Mishra,
Chairman
of
RCB.

“AB
has
been
a
true
leader,
both
on
and
off
the
field
and
we
would
like
to
express
our
heartfelt
gratitude
for
his
tireless
commitment
in
helping
RCB
establish
itself
as
one
of
the
premier
franchises
in
the
IPL.

“We
wish
AB
all
the
best
for
his
next
innings
in
life.
He
will
always
be
part
of
the
RCB
family,”
he
added.