IPL 2026: Good news for RCB as AB de Villiers hints at return ahead of next season

Legendary South African cricketer AB de Villiers, who retired from all forms of cricket in 2021, has given a hint at his possible return to the Indian Premier League (IPL) ahead of the 2026 season. The former RCB icon who donned the Red & Gold jersey for a decade is one of the most celebrated foreign players in the league's history. While he started his IPL career for Delhi Daredevils - now Delhi Capitals (DC) in 2008, he later went onto play for RCB from 2011 to 2021.

The RCB icon said in an interview that a full-time professional commitment to the World's best T20 league is unlikely. However, he has stated that his relationship & love for RCB will forever remain strong, and if the RCB team feels there is scope for him to be associated in a coaching or mentoring role, he is ready to do so.

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"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 & RCB - A match made in heaven

De Villiers amassed 4,522 runs in 157 games he played for RCB. Beyond the numbers, the superstar formed an iconic trio with Virat Kohli & Chris Gayle and gave fans countless moments of joy. On numerous occasions when Gayle & Kohli failed to contribute, RCB fans always had belief in AB to bail the team out. His best innings for Red & Gold came in the 2016 Qualifier one game against the Gujarat Lions. RCB were reeling at 29/5 while chasing a target below 150.

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AB walked in at at number four position and remained right till the end to take his team home through to the finals that year, where they eventfully lost by just eight runs to SRH. That 2016, also saw Kohli record 973 runs - the highest ever run aggregate in an IPL season. The Proteas star also scored more than 600 runs and was pivotal in RCB reaching the 2016 final. That same year, he and Kohli shared a record-breaking 229 for the second wicket against the Lions.

AB still holds the record of winning the most player of match awards in IPL's history - 25. This clearly proves that he was the RCB main match-winner. In 2022, RCB honored him by inducting him into the RCB Hall of Fame alongside Gayle. Also, in RCB's victory in the 2025 season, Kohli called two iconic duos to share the trophy with him.

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