Every once in a while, a player comes along who just redefines what's possible on a cricket field. And even years after he last played top-flight competitive cricket, AB de Villiers proved once again why he's in a league of his own. On Tuesday, at the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025, he didn't just play an innings; he put on a show, turning back the clock with a vintage performance that left everyone breathless and the India Champions' bowlers wondering what just hit them.
Key Highlights
- ✓ AB de Villiers smashed a stunning unbeaten 63* off just 30 balls for South Africa Champions.
- ✓ His explosive innings, with a strike rate of 210.00, propelled his team to a massive total of 208/6.
- ✓ The carnage took place at Northampton's County Ground during the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025.
- ✓ Yusuf Pathan was the standout bowler for India Champions with figures of 2/26, but the rest of the attack struggled.
- ✓ A late cameo from Morne van Wyk (18* off 5) helped plunder 19 runs from the final over.
The Return of Mr. 360
Let's set the scene. The South Africa Champions were facing the India Champions at the picturesque County Ground in Northampton. The innings was ticking along steadily, but it wasn't exactly explosive. Hashim Amla (22 off 19) and Jacques Rudolph (24 off 20) had provided a decent platform, but wickets were starting to fall at regular intervals. It felt like India was slowly clawing their way into a position of control.
Then, in the 9th over, following a run-out, out walked the skipper himself, AB de Villiers. For those of us who have followed his career, there’s always that little spark of anticipation when he comes to the crease. But nobody could have predicted the absolute masterclass that was about to unfold. This was his first major score of the tournament, having managed just 3 runs in the previous game, so you could tell he was itching to make his mark.
He started his assault almost immediately, sweeping Piyush Chawla to the fence off just the second ball he faced. It was a statement of intent. From there, it was pure, unadulterated de Villiers magic. It was a perfect blend of his trademark innovation—the scoops, the ramps, the audacious shots all around the wicket—and raw, brutal power. He lofted the ball down the ground with ease, sending four towering sixes into the stands and punishing any delivery that was even slightly off its mark.
Dismantling the Indian Attack
What's so incredible about watching a player like de Villiers is how he completely shifts the momentum of a game. The Indian bowlers, who had been doing a decent job, suddenly looked lost. He took a particular liking to Vinay Kumar, who ended up conceding a hefty 44 runs in his three overs. Every plan the Indian team had seemed to go out the window as de Villiers entered a state of imperious touch.
He raced to his fifty off just 28 deliveries, a blistering pace that kept the scoreboard flying. His final numbers were simply staggering: an unbeaten 63 from just 30 balls. That’s a strike rate of 210.00. To put that in perspective, he was scoring more than two runs for every single ball he faced. The carnage was relentless, and it felt like we were watching him back in his IPL prime for Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
The Innings in Context
While de Villiers was the undeniable star, it's important to look at how the rest of the innings set the stage for his heroics. The South African start was solid but unspectacular. Both Sarel Erwee (15) and JP Duminy (16) got in but couldn't convert their starts into something more substantial. This is where India Champions felt they had a real chance to restrict the total.
Credit has to be given where it's due, and Yusuf Pathan was absolutely brilliant for India. In the middle of all the chaos, he bowled a tight, disciplined spell, finishing with figures of 2 for 26. For a moment, his spell seemed to be the controlling factor, stemming the flow of runs and keeping his team firmly in the game. Piyush Chawla also chipped in with a respectable 2 for 31. But then, the de Villiers storm hit.
The Finishing Kick
As de Villiers was single-handedly taking the game away, he found a crucial partner in Morne van Wyk. Coming in late, van Wyk played the perfect cameo, smashing a blistering 18 not out from just 5 balls. Their partnership for the sixth wicket was a game-changing 69 runs, and it came at a breakneck pace.
The final over was a testament to their combined destruction. The pair plundered a massive 19 runs from it, a final flurry that took the South Africa Champions from a strong total to a truly formidable one. Crossing that 200-run psychological barrier, to finish on 208/6, completely changed the complexion of the match and put immense pressure on the Indian chase.
A Legend Unretired
Here's the thing that makes this performance even more special: AB de Villiers last played competitive cricket way back in 2021, when he turned out for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the Indian Premier League. To come back after such a long break and play an innings of this quality is just a reminder of the sheer, natural talent the man possesses. It’s not just muscle memory; it’s genius.
For context, he's one of the greatest to ever play in the IPL, scoring 5,162 runs in the tournament. He's the second-highest overseas run-scorer ever, behind only David Warner. Seeing him play like this again, leading the South Africa Champions as their skipper, is a treat for cricket fans everywhere. It shows that class is permanent, and even after years away, a true champion never really loses their touch.
The innings left the India Champions with a mountain to climb. At the time of this writing, they were struggling at 55 for 6, with the required run rate soaring above 13. Bowlers like Imran Tahir and Aaron Phangiso were reaping the rewards of the scoreboard pressure created almost single-handedly by their captain. It just goes to show the ripple effect one incredible innings can have on an entire match.
Conclusion
In the end, the clash between the South Africa Champions and India Champions became the AB de Villiers show. His breathtaking knock of 63* off 30 balls was a spectacle of power, innovation, and sheer audacity. He didn't just score runs; he dismantled an international-quality bowling attack and single-handedly propelled his team to a match-winning total of 208/6.
While bowlers like Yusuf Pathan showed great fight, the day belonged to one man. It was a powerful reminder that even in a tournament celebrating legends of the past, some stars shine brighter than ever. For anyone who witnessed it, this was more than just a great T20 innings; it was a welcome return to form for one of cricket's most beloved and explosive entertainers, Mr. 360.
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