AB de Villiers announced his retirement from international cricket on 23rd May, leaving a huge void in the South African team.

What happened?

Graeme Smith, the former South African captain, expressed his shock and disappointment at the news, saying he thought de Villiers would retire after the 2019 World Cup.

Why it matters for AB de Villiers

De Villiers' decision to retire came as a surprise to the cricketing world, and Smith believes he's irreplaceable, comparing his loss to that of Virat Kohli quitting the Indian team.

What comes next?

The South African team will now have to search for a replacement, but Smith thinks it's like trying to fill a gap that can't be filled, as de Villiers was an X-factor player who could single-handedly win games.

The pressure of international cricket and constant travelling might have played a part in de Villiers' decision, according to Smith, who also acknowledged that the player has the right to decide when he's had enough.

On 23rd May, de Villiers announced his retirement, just days after the conclusion of Royal Challengers Bangalore's campaign in the 11th edition of the Indian Premier League.

Graeme Smith, who captained de Villiers for most of his career, stated that the South African stalwart is a huge loss, and fans will be disappointed because they wanted to see him play more.

De Villiers' retirement means he won't feature in next year's World Cup in England, a tournament that was expected to be a fitting swansong to his remarkable career.

The former captain conceded that de Villiers has played international cricket for around 15 years, and it's very difficult to travel nine, 10, 11 months a year, dealing with pressures and family pressures.

Smith noted that de Villiers will have his own reasons for retiring, and they must respect that, as he's given so much to the sport.

The South African team will now have to regroup and find a way to fill the void left by de Villiers, but it's clear that he will be deeply missed by fans and the cricketing world.

De Villiers' decision to retire has sent shockwaves through the cricketing world, and it's clear that he's left an irreplaceable void in the South African team.

The search for a replacement will begin, but it's unlikely that anyone can fill the gap left by de Villiers, who was a true great of the game.

Graeme Smith's comments highlight the significance of de Villiers' retirement, and the impact it will have on the South African team and the cricketing world.

The retirement of AB de Villiers is a huge loss, and it's clear that he will be remembered as one of the greatest players of all time.

On 23rd May, the cricketing world was left stunned by the news of de Villiers' retirement, and it's clear that he will be deeply missed by fans and the cricketing world.