De Villiers has 'no set plans' for future

AB de Villiers has confirmed he has received offers "from all around the world" to play in various T20 leagues following his sudden retirement from international cricket in May.

But the South Africa great is adamant he still has few, if any, concrete plans for his playing future after announcing he’d played his last match for the Proteas.

The 34-year-old, who was most recently in action for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League, says it’s likely he’ll continue in that competition for several more years, while he’s also keen to continue representing the Titans in South Africa’s domestic T20 competition.

Otherwise, de Villiers is enjoying the feeling of an open diary.

"I will keep on playing IPL for a few years, and I would like to play for the Titans, and help some of the youngsters," de Villiers told iol.co.za.

"But there are no set plans. I haven't been able to say that for a long time.

"There are some offers on the table from around the world, but it will be nice to wake up and wonder what to do; to be normal."

De Villiers’ retirement announcement unsurprisingly put KFC Big Bash League clubs on red alert, with teams desperate to lure the explosive batsman Down Under.

Clubs with room for the entertaining right-hander this season include Brisbane Heat, who are on the hunt for a second international to join captain Brandon McCullum after confirming they’ve parted ways with Pakistan spinner Shadab Khan due to his increasing international commitments, while five other franchises are yet to confirm both of their international players for BBL|08.

But it seems the South African’s desire for a break from the game could stand in the way, after he walked away from the Proteas citing exhaustion.

Meanwhile, de Villiers says making peace with not winning a World Cup, and deciding he wouldn’t allow it to define his career, helped him make the decision to call time on his international career.

"For a long time, the World Cup was a massive goal," he said.

"But, in the last few years, I have realised that it isn't realistic to measure yourself purely on what you achieve in that tournament.

"The same goes for the others, in 2011 and in 2015. India (host of the 2011 tournament) has always been close to my heart, because of the passion for cricket, and then obviously 2015 (semi-final) was an amazing game

"That will not be the be-all and end-all of my career.

"Yes, I would have loved to win it, but I have great memories from World Cups. The 2007 tournament - my first - was very special.

"I guess that once I acknowledged to myself that I didn't have to measure my career on one tournament, place so much emphasis on it, it became easier to make my decision."