Latest news with #deVilliers
NDTV
2 days ago
- Sport
- NDTV
AB De Villiers Turns Back The Clock: Blazing Fifty, Then A Boundary-Rope Stunner
India Champions' journey to defend their World Championship of Legends title began on a horrific note as they lost their opening clash against South Africa. After refusing to play against Pakistan Champions, due to the political tensions between the two nations, Yuvraj Singh and co began their campaign against the Proteas in Northampton and faced a big defeat by 88 runs. It was a captain's knock from AB de Villiers, who scored 63* off 30 balls and propelled South Africa to 208/6 in 20 overs. Later, India were restricted to 111/9 as rain stopped the play. watching AB de Villiers bat in 2025 — Eems (@NaeemahBenjamin) July 22, 2025 Apart from his heroics with the bat, de Villiers also proved his worth on field In the 8th over of India's chase, Yusuf Pathan hammered a big shot towards the long-on on a full delivery from spinner Imran Tahir. De Villiers, who was placed nearby, slid towards the boundary line and brilliantly grabbed the ball. However, he knew he could not complete the catch without falling outside the boundary, so, he threw the ball towards Sarel Erwee, who then made a brilliant dive and took an excellent catch. 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 — FanCode (@FanCode) July 22, 2025 This moment left all the fans and even the commentators stunned as de Villiers truly showed that despite his retirement, he is still fit to play. Coming to the match, India Champions suffered a massive 88-run defeat (via DLS method) to South Africa Champions in their campaign opener of the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025 clash. South Africa Champions captain de Villiers rolled back the years, smashing a 30-ball 63 with the bat and orchestrating a mind-boggling catch in the outfield to power his side to victory. Put into bat by India Champions captain Yuvraj Singh, South Africa put up a daunting total of 208/6 in 20 overs. Yuvraj, however, would not bat, suffering a niggle while fielding. India's batting order - headlined by star names like Shikhar Dhawan, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu and Yusuf Pathan - suffered a collapse, managing only 111/9 before rain halted play.
India.com
2 days ago
- Sport
- India.com
South Africa Thrash India In WCL; de Villiers Stars With 63 And Unbelievable Catch
SA vs IND: South Africa Champions go top of the table with dominant 88-run (DLS) win; India slump to bottom. AB de Villiers showed exactly why he's still revered as one of the most destructive batters in the game, smashing a sensational 30-ball 63 to guide South Africa Champions to a massive 88-run win (DLS method) over India Champions in the World Championship of Legends 2025 at Northampton on Tuesday. His knock, which included three fours and four towering sixes, came after a quiet return against West Indies in the tournament opener. This time, de Villiers was back to his vintage best, attacking from the start and energizing the innings. Strong Support from Smuts, Amla, and Rudolph De Villiers was ably supported by JJ Smuts, who struck 30 off just 17 balls, while Hashim Amla (22) and Jacques Rudolph (24) added vital contributions to help South Africa reach an imposing 208/6 in their 20 overs. Despite efforts from Indian spinners Yusuf Pathan (2/26) and Piyush Chawla (2/31), South Africa's aggressive approach meant India were always under pressure. India Falter in Rain-Hit Chase India's chase never got going. With captain Yuvraj Singh unable to bat due to a fielding injury, the team lost early wickets and struggled to gain momentum. Apart from Stuart Binny's unbeaten 37 off 39 balls, there was little resistance. Suresh Raina (16), Vinay Kumar (13), and Irfan Pathan (10) were the only others to reach double figures as India collapsed to 111/9 in 18.2 overs before rain ended play. The DLS par score was well beyond their reach. De Villiers Adds Magic in the Field To cap off a memorable night, de Villiers also contributed in the field with a sensational relay catch on the boundary, proving he's still sharp and agile despite being retired from international cricket since 2021. South Africa Go Top, India Hit Rock Bottom With this win, South Africa Champions now sit comfortably on top of the points table with two wins in two matches. India Champions, meanwhile, have just one point from two games and are placed at the bottom. The performance reaffirmed South Africa's status as early title contenders, driven by the brilliance of their legendary skipper AB de Villiers.
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Sport
- Indian Express
WATCH: AB de Villiers blasts India Champions with blistering 61 in 30 balls, pulls off stunning tag-team catch in WCL 2025
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.🐐 — . (@ABDszn17) July 22, 2025 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 — 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. 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.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
WCL 2025: AB de Villiers turns back the clock as South Africa crush India by 88 runs
NEW DELHI: delivered a vintage performance to lead South Africa Champions to a thumping 88-run (DLS) win over India Champions in the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025 at Northampton on Tuesday. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. The Proteas legend dazzled with a 30-ball 63 - laced with 3 fours and 4 sixes - and pulled off a stunning relay catch in the outfield as India crumbled in a rain-hit chase. With the 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. Shubman Gill Trains Through Rain: Outdoor Runs, Indoor Nets in Manchester Opting to field first, 's side faced the full wrath of a resurgent de Villiers, who, after a rusty outing in his comeback game against West Indies, found peak form. Supported by useful cameos from JJ Smuts (30 off 17), Hashim Amla (22), and Jacques Rudolph (24), South Africa posted a commanding 208/6. Yusuf Pathan (2/26) and Piyush Chawla (2/31) were the pick of the Indian bowlers. Poll Do you think South Africa Champions will win the World Championship of Legends? Yes, they are favorites No, India will bounce back It's too early to tell India's response was listless. With Yuvraj unable to bat due to a fielding niggle, the top-order collapsed under pressure. Only Stuart Binny (37* off 39) showed some fight as wickets fell around him. Rain stopped play with India reeling at 111/9 in 18.2 overs - far behind the DLS par score. Apart from (16), Vinay Kumar (13) and Irfan Pathan (10), no other batter crossed double digits. It was a reminder of why de Villiers, even four years post-retirement, remains a force in any format. With this win, South Africa Champions look like early title favourites - led fittingly by their evergreen captain.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Mr 360 back in action! AB de Villiers destroys Indian legends in 30-ball carnage at WCL 2025
AB de Villiers (Screengrab) Northampton's County Ground witnessed a vintage AB de Villiers performance as the South Africa Champions skipper rolled back the years with a breathtaking 63* off just 30 balls, guiding his side to a formidable 208/6 against India Champions in the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025 clash on Tuesday. Walking in after Jacques Rudolph's run-out in the 9th over, de Villiers immediately shifted gears. His innings was a perfect blend of innovation and sheer power, featuring three fours and four towering sixes. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Whether it was scooping or lofting the ball down the ground, de Villiers was in imperious touch, dismantling the Indian bowling attack at will. Watch: The South African innings had a steady start with Hashim Amla (22 off 19) and Rudolph (24 off 20) providing a platform, but wickets at regular intervals kept India in the game. Sarel Erwee (15) and JP Duminy (16) couldn't convert their starts, while Yusuf Pathan's disciplined spell (2/26) helped stem the flow briefly. However, once de Villiers found his rhythm, the momentum swung decisively. A crucial cameo from Morne van Wyk (18* off 5) added late fireworks, as the duo plundered 19 runs off the final over to cross the 200-run mark. De Villiers's strike rate of 210.00 underlined his dominance, with every misfield or fractionally loose delivery punished. India Champions' bowlers, apart from Chawla (2/31), looked off-color, with Vinay Kumar conceding 44 in his 3 overs. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
