Former South African batter AB de Villiers has reignited calls for an Indian Premier League (IPL) comeback after producing a stunning century in the World Championship of Legends (WCL). The 42-year-old scored an unbeaten 111 off 40 balls against Australia Champions, helping South Africa Champions chase down a target of 210 in just 15.4 overs. His explosive performance has prompted fans to urge him to register for the IPL 2027 player auction, scheduled for December. The innings showcased the aggressive batting and extraordinary stroke-making that made de Villiers one of the most popular players in the tournament during his career with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).

De Villiers reached his century in 37 balls, demonstrating his ability to score rapidly and put opposition bowlers under pressure. His unbeaten knock included six fours and 11 sixes, allowing South Africa Champions to complete the chase comfortably. The innings was another reminder of the attacking style that earned him a reputation as one of the most dangerous batters in T20 cricket. Across his first two matches in the WCL, de Villiers has scored 181 runs at an average of 181 and a strike rate of 229.11. Those figures have strengthened hopes among supporters that he could still make an impact in competitive franchise cricket, despite having retired from professional cricket several years ago.

Fans quickly took to social media to express their desire to see the South African great return to the IPL. Several supporters urged him to enter the December auction, arguing that his batting could remain effective against modern bowling attacks. One fan said de Villiers could still trouble current IPL bowlers, while another directly requested that he put his name forward for the auction. Other reactions described him as a potentially valuable addition to the tournament if he decided to return. The comments reflected the affection many fans continue to hold for the batter, whose inventive shots and ability to accelerate an innings made him a favourite among IPL audiences.

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De Villiers retired from the IPL and all forms of cricket in November 2021, bringing an end to a celebrated career that included several memorable seasons with RCB. He scored 5,162 runs in 184 IPL matches, including 4,491 runs for the Bengaluru-based franchise. His performances often combined power, improvisation and consistency, helping establish his reputation as one of the tournament’s standout overseas players. His retirement marked the end of an era for RCB supporters, many of whom continue to associate him with the franchise’s most memorable batting displays. His recent WCL performances have revived memories of those innings and prompted renewed discussion about whether he might consider another stint in the IPL.

Now 42, de Villiers will turn 43 in February 2027, ahead of the next IPL season. However, there has been no confirmation that he intends to register for the upcoming auction or return to professional franchise cricket. His participation in the WCL demonstrates that he remains capable of producing rapid scoring performances in the legends competition, but it does not establish whether he is considering a return to the demands of the IPL. Any comeback would depend on his own decision and the formal process of entering the auction. For now, the possibility remains a subject of fan speculation rather than an announced plan.

The century against Australia Champions has nevertheless renewed enthusiasm among supporters who would like to see de Villiers wear RCB colours again. His remarkable scoring rate, unbeaten innings and record across two WCL matches have provided fresh material for those calling for a return. The December auction will be an important point of interest if he chooses to make himself available, although no such decision has been announced. Until then, his latest performance stands as a reminder of the batting ability that made him a celebrated figure in the IPL. For fans who continue to regard him as one of cricket’s great entertainers, the demand is simple: they want to see him back in the tournament.

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