IPL 2023: RCB Set To Retire Jersey Numbers 17 And 333 In Honour Of AB de Villiers And Chris Gayle

IPL 2023: Both Gayle and De Villiers will be officially inducted into the Hall of Fame on March 26.

Chris Gayle and AB de Villiers at Mumbai Airport in 2011.

Days before the start of the Indian Premier League 2023, popular franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore have decided to retire two iconic jerseys that have become part of Bangalore's cricketing folklore. The Bangalore based team has chosen to retire the jersey numbers of two of their legends AB de Villiers (17) and Chris Gayle (333).

Both these players represented the RCB for several years in the competition and went on to establish a legacy which fits with the brand of the cricket that Bangalore aspires to play and is captured best in their mantra of 'Play Bold.' Both the international stars played several match-winnings knocks for the team because of the kind of impact that they have had on the tournament and the culture of the team, Bangalore will also be inducting them into the RCB Hall of Fame.

The news was announced by the team on their official social media handle.

"Jersey numbers 17 and 333 will be retired forever as a tribute to @ABdeVilliers17 and @henrygayle, when we induct the legends of RCB into the Hall of Fame, at the #RCBUnbox presented by Walkers and Co. #PlayBold #ನಮ್ಮRCB," they tweeted.

Here is the tweet:

Jersey numbers 17 and 333 will be retired forever as a tribute to @ABdeVilliers17 and @henrygayle, when we induct the legends of RCB into the Hall of Fame, at the #RCBUnbox presented by Walkers and Co.#PlayBold #ನಮ್ಮRCB pic.twitter.com/Ka2SaORSel

— Royal Challengers Bangalore (@RCBTweets) March 17, 2023

Faf du Plessis-led RCB did qualify for the Playoffs last season but their wait for a maiden championship victory continued as they lost Qualifier 2 after winning the Eliminator. This year the team would want to begin the season with renewed hopes and energy and give it their all to win their elusive title.

The tournament is set to return to its traditional home and away format this year and Bangalore would be hoping to make the M Chinnaswamy Stadium their fortress as they attempt to all the way this year. The team will begin their campaign with a home match against Mumbai Indians on April 2.