South Africa legend AB de Villiers magically turned back the clock as he deflated the India Champions during the World Championship of Legends (WCL) match in Northampton on Tuesday. The 41-year-old de Villiers, returning to a franchise T20 league for the first time in four years since his IPL 2021 appearance for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, conjured up a special knock and even impressed with his supreme presence on the field as South Africa Champions thumped India by 88 runs.
After being asked to bat, de Villiers walked in at No. 4 in the ninth over. The South Africa Champions skipper then showed his typical 360-degree flair as he constricted the India veteran bowlers with an array of shots. de Villiers, who played 340 professional T20s during his playing career and racked up 9400 runs, struck at nearly 200 as he blasted 61 off only 30 balls to power South Africa Champions to 206 for six in 20 overs.
The Indians were no match before de Villiers and Co. as they were reduced to only 111 for nine in 18.2 overs.
WATCH: AB de Villiers’ 61* vs India Champions
Ball by ball highlights of AB de Villiers’ 63*(30) vs India legends. Still got it.🐐pic.twitter.com/8S1sty9lKU
— . (@ABDszn17) July 22, 2025
‘ABD’s superhuman effort
Widely celebrated for his acrobatic fielding and presence of mind on the ground during his playing days, de Villiers conjured up another special effort as he was instrumental in dismissing Yusuf Pathan with a fine tag-team catch, assisted by Sarel Erwee.
𝐏𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐀𝐁 𝐝𝐞 𝐕𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 📑✍️
Even after four years away from the game, he’s making the impossible look easy 😮💨#WCL2025 #ABD pic.twitter.com/ixmXJ6YBSK
— FanCode (@FanCode) July 22, 2025
After Pathan slapped an Imran Tahir googly to wide long-on, de Villiers sprinted and slid to get a hold on the ball before popping it back just in the nick of time as he was turned towards the boundary ropes. The ball lobbed up and was pouched firmly by Erwee to complete the fantastic relay-catch.
India Champions collapse
After boycotting their opening fixture against Pakistan Champions, last year’s winners India got off to a poor start. After skipper Yuvraj Singh was replaced by Shikhar Dhawan as an impact player in India’s chase, the team slipped to 28 for four within the Powerplay. Only all-rounder Stuart Binny (37 not out) crossed 20 with the bat as South Africa Champions, led by an astute de Villiers, completed the dominant win.
