AB de Villiers, the South African cricket legend, has once again ignited a frenzy among fans with a spectacular century in the World Championship of Legends (WCL) final. At the age of 41, De Villiers showcased his enduring talent by smashing an unbeaten 120 off just 60 balls, leading the South Africa Champions to a dominant 9-wicket victory over Pakistan Champions at Edgbaston, Birmingham. This remarkable performance has led to a surge in demands for him to reverse his retirement from professional cricket.
De Villiers' innings was a masterclass in modern batting, featuring 12 fours and 7 sixes. He reached his century in a mere 47 deliveries, demonstrating his exceptional timing, composure, and clean hitting. What made this feat even more impressive was that he battled through a hamstring injury during the innings, requiring medical attention but continuing to play with sheer brilliance.
This was De Villiers' third century in the tournament, underscoring his dominance in the WCL 2025. He finished the series with a remarkable 429 runs and was named both Player of the Match in the final and Player of the Series. His outstanding performance helped South Africa Champions secure their first title in the tournament.
The victory was a comprehensive one, with South Africa chasing down the target of 196 with 19 balls to spare. JP Duminy provided valuable support with an unbeaten 50 off 28 balls, forming an unbroken 125-run partnership with De Villiers. Earlier in the innings, De Villiers shared a 72-run opening stand with Hashim Amla, who contributed 18 runs.
The WCL 2025 brought together retired cricket stars from around the world, with teams representing India, Pakistan, England, Australia, South Africa, and the West Indies. While India Champions were considered strong contenders, their absence from the semi-final against Pakistan due to a boycott was a significant talking point. Former Indian cricketer Suresh Raina expressed his admiration for De Villiers' knock, stating that India would have "crushed them too" had they played.
De Villiers' decision to retire from international cricket in May 2018 had been a subject of much discussion, especially after he offered to reverse his decision ahead of the 2019 World Cup. However, South Africa decided against including him in the squad, a decision that was based on principle and fairness to the players who had been working hard in the team.
Despite the controversies surrounding his previous retirement U-turn offers, De Villiers remains a beloved figure in the cricketing world. His recent performance in the WCL final has once again raised the question of whether he might consider a return to professional cricket. While De Villiers has previously hinted at a possible comeback, he has also stated that he is not tempted to return to international cricket or high-profile tournaments like the Indian Premier League (IPL). In January 2025, he mentioned the possibility of playing "casual cricket" for the enjoyment of the game and to spend time with his kids.
For now, AB de Villiers continues to enthrall fans with his extraordinary talent in the legends circuit. Whether he chooses to make another U-turn remains to be seen, but his latest century has undoubtedly reignited the passion of cricket fans worldwide.
