AB de Villiers revealed that he could have gone completely blind if he hadn’t retired from cricket. The former South African batter had taken an early retirement from international cricket while he continued
to play a couple more seasons with RCB. The veteran retired from IPL cricket in 2021 due to a detached retina and the fans were immensely disappointed. However, AB mentioned in the interview that he could have lost his eyesight if he hadn’t got the surgery done in time.
“Yes, I had eye surgery some time ago. My right eye is not my dominant eye, so I don’t think it had much of an impact on my cricket.During the IPL, I noticed that my vision in my right eye was becoming a little blurry, especially at night. I got my eye checked after retiring because I didn’t want surgery during my playing career. Doctors found a detached retina and operated the very next day. They warned me that I could have lost my eyesight,” said AB de Villiers on being asked about playing cricket despite having a detached retina.
🚨 AB DE VILLIERS REVEALS HE COULD HAVE GONE COMPLETELY BLIND IF HE HADN’T RETIRED FROM CRICKET! 💔
Interviewer:🗣️ I read that you continued batting for a few years despite having a detached retina. Is that true?
AB de Villiers:🗣️ Yes, I had eye surgery some time ago. My right eye is not my dominant eye, so I don’t think it had much of an impact on my cricket.During the IPL, I noticed that my vision in my right eye was becoming a little blurry, especially at night.
I got my eye checked after retiring because I didn’t want surgery during my playing career. Doctors found a detached retina and operated the very next day. They warned me that I could have lost my eyesight.
It was an accident at home. My son accidentally hit my eye with his heel while playing. It hurt badly, but I didn’t take it seriously at the time.
— Central Cricket (@arshdeep3444) October 17, 2026
AB continued playing for RCB despite experiencing blurred vision
The former South African captain is widely regarded as one of the greatest batters to have graced the game. The veteran had a very distinct batting style as he could score runs all across the park and he is also called, “Mr.360”. He took an early retirement from international cricket in 2018 and the cricketing world was shocked by the decision. AB de Villiers was ranked No. 2 in the ICC ODI batsman rankings when he announced his retirement. He further clarified that he retired from international cricket due to physical and mental fatigue, a desire to spend more time with his family, and a hidden eye injury.
However, he continued to play for RCB in the IPL and was a sensational batter for the side. The South African went on to play many more match-winning knocks for the side and it didn’t seem like he was out of the international picture for long. During the interview, he stated that he felt like the vision in his right eye was getting blurry. Later on after the 2021 season with RCB, AB de Villiers officially announced his retirement from the game due to a detached retina.
AB de Villiers stated that his eye injury occurred due to an accident at home when his son accidentally hit his father’s eye with his heel. The timely surgery of the South African icon helped him regain his eyesight but his ability to remain unstoppable in the game despite having a detached retina is what shocked the cricketing world.
