AB de Villiers turned back the clock with a sensational performance, leading South Africa Champions to a dominant 88-run victory over India Champions in the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025 at Northampton on Tuesday. De Villiers' explosive innings and brilliant fielding display captivated fans and proved to be the difference between the two sides.
South Africa, after losing the toss and being put into bat, posted a formidable total of 208/6 in their allotted 20 overs. The innings was anchored by de Villiers, who blasted an unbeaten 63 off just 30 balls. His innings included three fours and four towering sixes, dismantling the Indian bowling attack. He had a strike rate of 210.00. Useful cameos from JJ Smuts (30 off 17), Hashim Amla (22), and Jacques Rudolph (24) further boosted the South African total. Yusuf Pathan (2/26) and Piyush Chawla (2/31) were the pick of the Indian bowlers.
India's response was listless, with the top order collapsing under pressure. Only Stuart Binny (37* off 39) showed some resistance as wickets fell around him. Rain stopped play with India reeling at 111/9 in 18.2 overs, well short of the DLS par score. Aaron Phangiso was the pick of the South African bowlers, scalping three wickets in his quota of four overs. Imran Tahir and Wayne Parnell each picked up two wickets.
De Villiers wasn't just a force with the bat; he also contributed with a stunning relay catch to dismiss Yusuf Pathan. Sprinting full tilt in the deep, de Villiers caught the ball while sliding perilously close to the boundary rope, and in one fluid motion, flicked it mid-air to Sarel Erwee, who completed the dismissal just inside the rope. The catch went viral on social media, with fans hailing it as vintage "Mr. 360°".
With this win, South Africa surged to the top of the standings with two wins in two, while India slumped to the bottom with one point from as many games. AB de Villiers was named Player of the Match for his all-round brilliance.
