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NEW DELHI: AB de Villiers 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.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!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.
Opting to field first, Yuvraj Singh’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.
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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 Suresh Raina (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.
