Photo via India Today

Come Back, GOAT: AB de Villiers hits 37-ball WCL century to spark IPL return calls

AB de Villiers hit a 37-ball century against Australia Champions in the World Championship of Legends, prompting supporters to call for his return to the Indian Premier League. The 42-year-old finished with an unbeaten 111 runs from 40 deliveries, hitting six fours and 11 sixes.

His innings guided South Africa Champions to chase down 210 in 15.4 overs.

Across two matches in the WCL, de Villiers has amassed 181 runs while maintaining an average of 181 and a strike rate of 229.11. The performances follow his retirement from the IPL and all forms of cricket, which occurred in November 2021.

Over the course of his IPL career, de Villiers registered 5,162 runs across 184 matches, a total that included 4,491 runs scored for Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

The display has led fans to urge the 42-year-old to register for the IPL 2027 auction, scheduled to be held in December.

One supporter wrote, "Ain't joking, AB de Villiers would still toy with the current IPL bowlers. Come back, my GOAT!" Another fan wrote, "Ab de villiers please put your name in this ipl auction please...." A third supporter wrote, "Undoubtedly, if 42-year-old GOAT AB de Villiers enters the IPL auction, he will be the most valuable player in IPL history."

This report also draws on coverage from NDTV Sports, Gulf News, Cricbuzz, News18.

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