New Delhi: In what could be a major blow to his incredible fan following across the globe, South African batsman AB de Villiers is contemplating retiring from Tests after the ongoing England tour.
According to a report in ESPNCricinfo, an Afrikaans newspaper, Rapport, carried a news saying that several of de Villiers' current and former team-mates have said that too much of cricket is possibly forcing the flamboyant right-hander to think about continue playing in all formats of the game.
"There are a lot of rumours flying around I hear, but for the last two to three years the only talk I've been doing is to keep myself fresh and to have a bit of rest here and there," de Villiers said. "It's always been the most important thing for me to enjoy my cricket. It's just important to look at the schedule moving forward, that's the talk in the camp and for me maybe not to play all kinds of cricket."
AB said that apart from playing international cricket, playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL) leaves him tired by the end of the season.
"If I play all the IPL games the whole season, I do get a bit tired towards the end of the season," he said. "That's the only thing that I've been talking about in the last while. To keep myself fresh and to keep enjoying the game. I love representing my country and nothing has changed."
Since his debut in 2004, the 31-year-old played 98 straight Tests before missing the July tour to Bangladesh for the birth of his first child.
AB was the only South African batsman in the recently concluded four-match series against India to score two formidable knocks against the Virat Kohli-led side.
South Africa are currently touring England for another four-match series in whites, where AB is also keeping wickets as a result of an injury to Quinton de Kock.
