The Indian Premier League franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) recently took to their official Twitter handle @RCBTweets to announce the jersey numbers worn by two legendary players – AB de Villiers and Chris Gayle. 17 and 333, will be retired forever. Both the jerseys will be inducted into the IPL Hall of Fame on March 26 this year.
The event will be hosted by rcb In the presence of both the stars at Chinnaswamy Stadium. Jersey number 17 and AB de Villiers have always been synonymous. Ever since Villiers joined the franchise in 2011, the player had played 11 seasons wearing the same jersey and scored 4491 runs in a total of 156 matches for the team. He scored 37 50s and 2 100s for the Bangalore-based franchise.
De Villiers had a strike rate of 152 for RCB and shared five 100-plus partnerships. Virat Kohli, as well as two more than 200 stands. Villiers also won an award for the most powerful innings in the 2012 IPL for his attack on Dale Steyn. He has always been a great finisher, like when he scored a brilliant hundred in Mumbai in 2015 and another in Bengaluru against Gujarat Lions in 2016. However, to everyone’s surprise, Villiers announced his retirement from all forms of cricket in November. 2021.
“It is difficult to put into words the value of spending time with some of the best players in the world from different countries. In my first year in the IPL with Delhi Daredevils, I found myself in the dressing room with Glenn McGrath, Tillakaratne Dilshan and many others. The impact it had on my game was immense and you can see how my game has gone to the next level since 2008,” de Villiers said in a recent interview.
Whereas jersey number 333 was always the fearsome armor on the field of the great Chris Gayle. If we remember the glorious early days of IPL, it was Chris Gayle who scored the first century in this format. From that day onwards, this ferocious West Indies player has always been a nightmare for every bowler.
Gayle owns every record including most runs (now 10,000), most centuries, fastest century, and most fours and sixes. Known as one of the most savage hitters of the cricket ball – he once bowled Brett Lee in front of Lord Tennyson’s School outside the Oval! When it comes to IPL, Gayle has an impeccable report card there as well.
He started playing for Kolkata Knight Riders in 2009 before moving to RCB in 2011. In 2013, he scored a total of 708 runs in just 16 matches for RCB, including an unbeaten 175. Soon, he was bought by the Punjab Kings in 2018. where he played four seasons. Off the field, Gayle is known for his charismatic personality and is often described as a larger-than-life figure in cricket.
He is also a philanthropist, with his Chris Gayle Foundation supporting various causes in Jamaica including education and healthcare. He is a true role model for every sportsperson and young sports enthusiast.
(Disclaimer: The above content is a press release and PTI does not take any editorial responsibility for the same.)
catch all sports news And updates on Live Mint. download mint news app to receive daily market update And live business news,