Twitterati reacts to AB de Villiers shocking retirement decision

De Villiers finished his international career as the No.2 ranked batsman.

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AB de Villiers announced retirement from international cricket on Wednesday Getty Images[/caption]

AB de Villiers has shocked everyone with his immediate retirement from all formats of international cricket on Twitter. He pointed out that that 'the time is right' for retiring while he is playing decent cricket, also mentioning how exhausted he is. He has played 114 Tests, 228 ODIs and 78 T20Is, and has decided to retire on a high after the Test series wins against India and Australia. However, we will see him playing franchise cricket. The entire cricket fraternity congratulated de Villiers on his career and wished him luck for his future.

The biggest entertainer in the last decade has bid goodbye to International cricket...your absence will be felt, AB. Cricket will be poorer. Wish you all the best for your future endeavours. Go well @ABdeVilliers17

Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) May 23, 2018

True legend. Finishing on top and allowing next generation to step up. The way AB found innovative ways to dominate bowling attacks was an inspiration #ABdeVilliers #AB https://t.co/Khj9UEXo9u

Alex Blackwell (@AlexBlackwell2) May 23, 2018

One of the best! Wish you all the best AB amazing player but above all that great guy... https://t.co/njEZLnuPit

Mahela Jayawardena (@MahelaJay) May 23, 2018

The man who showed the world that batting 360 is an easy task. All the best for your future endeavours @ABdeVilliers17, thank you for all the unforgettable memories! pic.twitter.com/9r4AAQDKfj

R P Singh (@rpsingh) May 23, 2018

Absolute stunning international career @ABdeVilliers17!Top bloke and very down 2 earth! A great ambassador for the game and role model 2 so many!will miss watching you play in the green and gold!all the best for the future my friend and thanks for the memories!#prinsvanpretoria pic.twitter.com/A1Zv49J5fN

Roelof van der Merwe (@Roela52) May 23, 2018

So shocked to here @ABdeVilliers17 has decided to call time on his international career. But that s just life and he feels it s time to move on. Thank you great man for your amazing Match winning Performances, Skill Captaincy and most of all your Humility.

Allan Donald (@AllanDonald33) May 23, 2018

What a fantastic career.. It was treat to watch you entertain us @ABdeVilliers17 ..

Wish you all the best moving forward..!!!

Paras Khadka (@paras77) May 23, 2018

Must admit to being a bit shocked by @ABdeVilliers17 decision to quit all international cricket. We knew it was coming but I thought he would give the World Cup another shot.

Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) May 23, 2018

Such a shame for international cricket @ABdeVilliers17 ... But he has been an unbelievable advert to how I would have loved to have played all 3 formats .. GREAT GREAT Player ... Top 3 that I have ever seen .. #AB

Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) May 23, 2018

Enjoy retirement you will be miss for all the great things you have done for this noble game

Courtney A Walsh (@CuddyWalsh) May 23, 2018

Watta player watta man @ABdeVilliers17 congratulation on ur great career n wish u all the luck for future endeavours #ABRetires #legend

Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) May 23, 2018

Everyone knows when their time has arrived,abbas is no different. Congrats on a wonderful career @ABdeVilliers17

Herschelle Gibbs (@hershybru) May 23, 2018

Congratulations @ABdeVilliers17 , the most loved cricketer in the world, on a wonderful career. International cricket will be poorer without you, but you will continue to be celebrated by cricket fans around the world pic.twitter.com/uA7CBlYE9F

Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) May 23, 2018

Like your on-field game, may you have 360-degree success off the field as well. You will definitely be missed, @ABdeVilliers17. My best wishes to you! pic.twitter.com/LWHJWNXcVG

Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) May 23, 2018

De Villiers had a decent IPL season with the bat scoring 480 runs in 12 matches with six half-centuries. He was all over the social media when he took a stunning one-handed catch near the boundary to dismiss Alex Hales. He finished his international career as the No.2 ranked batsman player in the world and remains the second highest run-scorer for South Africa behind Jacques Kallis.