IPL 2026 News: Will AB de Villiers Return to RCB? Here’s What He Said

Former South African batting star AB de Villiers has dropped a hint about making a comeback to the Indian Premier League (IPL), but this time not as a player. He expressed that he would love to take up a coaching or mentoring role with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the future. De Villiers, who is regarded as one of the greatest IPL players, spent most of his career with RCB after starting out with Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) in 2008, where he played for three seasons before moving to Bengaluru in 2011.

AB de Villiers open to RCB return as coach or mentor

The South African great, who retired from cricket in 2021, said he won’t be taking up a full-time role in the league. Still, his connection with RCB is very close, and if the Bengaluru team wants him to be involved in any way, he would be happy to join them.

"I might be involved with the IPL again in the future in a different role, but committing to a full season in a professional capacity is really tricky, and I believe those days are done. That said, you never say never. My heart is with RCB and always will be. So, if the franchise feels there's a role for me (as a coach or mentor), when my time is right and ready, it will definitely be RCB," de Villiers told IANS.

AB de Villiers’ Glorious IPL Journey with RCB

The former RCB stalwart smashed 4,522 runs in the 157 matches he played for the team. His average of 41.10 and a blistering strike rate of 158.33 were simply beyond words. He also scored two centuries and 37 fifties for Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

The South African star also holds the record for the biggest partnership in IPL history. He and Virat Kohli put together a huge 229-run stand for the second wicket against the now-defunct Gujarat Lions in 2016. In that season, he scored 687 runs and ended as the third-highest run-getter.

The former RCB stalwart, who played 184 IPL matches across two franchises, scored 5,162 runs at a strike rate of 151.68, including 40 fifties and three centuries. In 2022, De Villiers was inducted into the RCB Hall of Fame alongside Chris Gayle.
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