AB de Villiers Delivers Yet Another Masterclass
Just when you think you’ve seen it all from AB de Villiers, he manages to raise the bar even higher. Playing for South Africa Champions at Headingley, the 41-year-old put on a show that left fans and opponents in awe. Against the Australia Champions, he hammered a century in just 39 balls, showing the same daring intent that made him a fan favorite during his international and IPL days. De Villiers ended up smashing 123 runs from 46 balls, an innings packed with 15 boundaries and 8 sixes.
The best part? It wasn’t just about the raw numbers. The shots he played—especially his iconic one-handed scoop over the wicketkeeper—brought flashes of his prime back to life. He made batting seem effortless, taking on bowlers like Brett Lee and Steve O’Keefe as if they were bowling in the nets rather than a high-profile tournament match. All this came at a jaw-dropping strike rate of 267.39, a figure that underscores the type of dominance rarely seen at this level.
Opening the innings alongside JJ Smuts, de Villiers helped put on a 187-run partnership for the first wicket. Thanks to this explosive stand, South Africa Champions posted a daunting total of 241 for 6 in their 20 overs. The Australia Champions simply couldn’t keep up. Despite having an attack filled with experience, they were bundled out for 146 runs, giving the South African side a comprehensive 95-run victory.
The Legend’s Relentless Legacy
If you thought this was a one-off, think again. Just a few days earlier, on July 24, de Villiers hammered a 41-ball century against England Champions. That knock steered South Africa to a crushing 10-wicket win. In both outings, he’s made a game usually played by aging stars feel like a celebration of peak athleticism and timing.
For context, de Villiers retired from international cricket in 2021, leaving behind a legacy of nearly 20,000 runs across all formats. Most former players slow down after retiring from top-level cricket, but not AB. He seems to have found a new groove, almost as if every break from the pressures of international cricket has recharged his batteries. The World Championship of Legends 2025, which brings former stars back to the spotlight, has become his personal playground.
The numbers themselves are eye-catching, but it’s the way de Villiers manipulates the field and improvises seemingly impossible shots that sets him apart. Whether it’s reverse scoops or sixes flicked off his legs, his style injects fresh excitement into legends tournaments that sometimes feel a little one-paced.
This run of form isn’t just earning him headlines; it’s sparking debates about his place among cricket’s all-time greats. To score back-to-back centuries—both at an electrifying pace—and to top it off with highlight-reel shots, there’s really no slowing down for the man they call “Mr. 360.” Anyone watching right now gets the rare treat of seeing a retired player still play like a superstar in his prime.
