AB de Villiers pens emotional letter after RCB Hall of Fame induction: 'Tears filled my eyes'

Proteas legend AB de Villiers has penned an emotional note after being inducted into IPL side Royal Challengers Bangalore's Hall of Fame.

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De Villiers and West Indies legend Chris Gayle were earlier this week honoured by the IPL franchise for their services over the years.

De Villiers and Gayle were honoured during the RCB Unbox event where the team's new kit for the upcoming IPL 2023 campaign was also unveiled.

Some ?? from the Lap of honor! ??Our ??s gave a fitting tribute to our 12th Man Army! ??#PlayBold #????RCB #IPL2023 #RCBUnbox pic.twitter.com/k8a8Mc0iIy

We love you 3000 ????The memories you‘ve given us, and the chants of ABD ABD will never fade away! ??Still not too late to come back from retirement, legend! ??#ThankYouAB #PlayBold #????RCB #IPL2023 @ABdeVilliers17 pic.twitter.com/t5Ly8scPmw

De Villiers wrote in Instagram: "So, March 26th 2023 Chris and I were inducted into the RCB hall of fame and our jersey numbers retired forever. My heart blossomed as my wife, two boys and little girl walked up the stairs to enter our RCB den, stairs that I have walked up so many times with butterflies fluttering in my stomach. It felt weird to walk up there in a different state of mind.

"Tears filled my eyes when I stepped on to the balcony of our dressing room at the Chinnaswamy in front of a packed stadium. I never thought hearing the chants of ABD could beat the first time I heard it, but this time was different. It used to be adrenalin combined with an extreme hunger to please the cry out of our fans to find a way to win, this time it was a sea of emotion that filled my body as I simply felt grateful to have had my time in the arena representing a