India Champions began their journey to defend their World Championship of Legends title on a disappointing note as they lost their opening clash against South Africa. The match took place in Northampton, where the Proteas emerged victorious by a massive 88-run margin.
AB de Villiers Shines
The standout performer of the match was AB de Villiers, the captain of South Africa, who played a captain’s knock by scoring an impressive 63* off just 30 balls. His innings propelled South Africa to a challenging total of 208/6 in their 20 overs. In addition to his batting prowess, de Villiers also displayed exceptional fielding skills.
During India’s chase, Yusuf Pathan hit a powerful shot that seemed destined to clear the boundary. However, de Villiers executed a brilliant fielding effort to prevent the six. Despite not completing the catch himself, his quick thinking and selflessness led to Sarel Erwee taking a remarkable catch to dismiss Pathan.
The moment captured the attention of fans and commentators alike, showcasing de Villiers’ enduring talent even after being away from the game for four years.
Match Summary
India Champions’ batting lineup, featuring stars like Shikhar Dhawan, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, and Yusuf Pathan, faltered under pressure. They could only manage 111/9 before rain interrupted play, leading to the match ending via the DLS method.
South Africa Champions, led by the formidable de Villiers, dominated the game with both bat and ball. Their victory marked a strong start to their campaign in the World Championship of Legends 2025.
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watching AB de Villiers bat in 2025 pic.twitter.com/3649Wvnnrl
โ Eems (@NaeemahBenjamin) July 22, 2025
๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐ญ๐จ ๐ ๐๐ญ ๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐ข๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ข๐๐ซ๐ฌ ๐จ๐ฎ๐ญ ๐จ๐ ๐ซ๐๐ญ๐ข๐ซ๐๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ
Even after four years away from the game, he’s making the impossible look easy#WCL2025 #ABD pic.twitter.com/ixmXJ6YBSK
โ FanCode (@FanCode) July 22, 2025
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