The explosive batter, who had stepped down as South Africa player in May 2018, scored 20,014 international runs across all formats, besides making 31,236 runs in domestic cricket. He ended his career with a total of 58 professional hundreds. De Villiers, nicknamed ‘Mr. 360’ for his ability to smash the ground out of the park in any phase of the innings, announced his decision on Twitter.

It was met with a flood of appreciation from players and experts alike, with India skipper Virat Kohli, de Villiers’ RCB teammate, leading the way.

It has been an incredible journey, but I have decided to retire from all cricket.

Ever since the back yard matches with my older brothers, I have played the game with pure enjoyment and unbridled enthusiasm. Now, at the age of 37, that flame no longer burns so brightly. pic.twitter.com/W1Z41wFeli

— AB de Villiers (@ABdeVilliers17) November 19, 2021

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.

— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) November 19, 2021

Absolute legend both on and off the field!Having had the benefit of watching you up close you are most definitely the #GOAT
Although we are absolutely gutted not to see you at @RCBTweets next season you thoroughly deserve to retire when time is right for you and your family 🤝❤️ https://t.co/URrNkiQURa

— Mike Hesson (@CoachHesson) November 19, 2021

If I have to pick one batsman for all formats in any conditions against any apposition that will be surely @ABdeVilliers17 .One of the toughest competitor and a freak on the https://t.co/NRbyY61Z8u will surely miss https://t.co/A4SvmSGkJU wishes for you and your family. https://t.co/q4Abfjdv53

— Misbah Ul Haq (@captainmisbahpk) November 19, 2021

Well done @ABdeVilliers17 on a special career. I’ve been extremely lucky to be on the same cricket field as you. The game will not be the same without you. The greatest player I have played with.🐐 https://t.co/N3BJ3Jxw6Q

— Faf Du Plessis (@faf1307) November 19, 2021

Congrats on a great career and all the best with the next, AB.
All the best. https://t.co/YMXl4Lbyrg

— Mpumelelo Mbangwa (@mmbangwa) November 19, 2021

Congratulations on a fabulous career @ABdeVilliers17 . One of the true modern day greats and an inspiration for so many. Wish you the very best in your second innings. https://t.co/0bXPXhJCMz

— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) November 19, 2021

Glad I got to share the field with one of the greatest players of all time, and an amazing human too!! Changed cricket forever 🙌 #legend https://t.co/a4IMEk9QYz

— Glenn Maxwell (@Gmaxi_32) November 19, 2021

Definitely a kind of relief for myself and all the bowlers . Thank you soo much for the great memories and inspiring soo many of youngsters including me . We will definitely Miss you Mr 360 @abdevilliers17 ❤️❤️🙌🏻🙌🏻 pic.twitter.com/yAi23Cv8gw

— Rashid Khan (@rashidkhan_19) November 19, 2021

What a wonderful player you have been!
Cricket will miss you…all the best! https://t.co/bx33Mc0T4R

— DK (@DineshKarthik) November 19, 2021

What a player! I was one of so many who would turn on the tv just to watch you bat. Enjoy retirement, what a career. https://t.co/ShOBmjWYSw

— Jos Buttler (@josbuttler) November 19, 2021

The best I’ve ever seen, and someone who I’ve always looked up to! Took the game to another level singlehandedly #mr360

Thankyou 🙌🏼👏🏼 @ABdeVilliers17 https://t.co/lzEQ3MYP13

— Sam Billings (@sambillings) November 19, 2021

Your contribution to cricket has been immense @ABdeVilliers17 🙌 A true legend of this beautiful game and a wonderful athlete. Good luck for whatever the future has in store for you 😊 https://t.co/Yh4huPUH7n

— Shikhar Dhawan (@SDhawan25) November 19, 2021

A number of journalists and experts paid their tributes as well to the former South Africa skipper.

This very random screenshot probably says a LOT about AB de Villiers the batter.

The ball is out of the bowler’s hand and AB still has almost all options open. INSANE.

Guess what shot he played.#ABdeVilliers pic.twitter.com/AchXmBxvV3

— Rohit Sankar (@imRohit_SN) November 19, 2021

AB de Villiers was a paradigm-altering batsmen. Cricket is traditionally about the bowler initiating the action and the batsman reacting. AB changed that. He would act first. The bowlers would have to react. And he was so good, they often couldn’t do anything about it

— Siddhartha Vaidyanathan (@sidvee) November 19, 2021

There is no doubt in my mind that @ABdeVilliers17 has been one of the most influential players of his generation. A genius, a true successor to Lara. Wish you well AB. I am sure your countless fans at @RCBTweets will want to give you a befitting send-off. You were a great combo.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) November 19, 2021

AB de Villiers was an all-format genius. 25 centuries in ODIs – all inns at a strike-rate of 100plus. The only man with 50plus AVG and 100plus SR in ODIs. The only player in IPL with 5000 runs at 150plus SR. 22 Test centuries (only 1 in losing cause). Thank you, @ABdeVilliers17!

— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) November 19, 2021

As AB de Villiers calls time on his career, let’s take a look at three of his most memorable knocks!

149 (44) vs West Indies in 2015.

Set the record for the fastest ODI hundred as he brought up his century in just 31 balls.

(1/3)#ThankYouABDpic.twitter.com/Mii7vfIyqP

— Prasenjit Dey (@CricPrasen) November 19, 2021