2018 round-up: 5 biggest retirements in cricket

#1 AB de Villiers

AB de Villiers

Arguably the best cricketer across all three formats in recent times, AB de Villiers caught everyone off guard when he announced his retirement from international cricket in May after a 14-year long career.

AB De Villiers, who was given the epithet of 'Mr 360' after his mixture of flamboyant shots all around the park, holds the record for the fastest half-century (16 balls), century (31 balls) and 150 (64 balls) in ODIs.

He is among the few batsmen who have topped the Test and 50-over rankings at the same time. In 114 Tests, he scored 8765 runs at an average of 50.66. In ODIs, he boasts an average of 53.50 scoring 9577 runs in 228 matches with 22 centuries. He finished as the fourth-highest run-scorer for South Africa.

He mesmerized the gentlemen's game completely. A ferocious competitor on the field, he was loved by everyone watching. People may not support South Africa but there was not a soul who didn't like to see the lion hearted performer.

His shock retirement from international cricket has meant that he will be available in IPL 2019 and everyone would be eagerly waiting to get enthralled and entertained again by de Villiers.