AB de Villiers’ outstanding fielding performance during match No. 6 of the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025 at County Ground, Northampton, on Tuesday, July 22, transported cricket fans back in time.
India’s champions faced off against South Africa’s champions in what promised to be an exciting match. However, it was a one-sided affair, with South Africa winning by 88 runs (using DLS method). Skipper de Villiers led his team from the front, first with the bat, then on the field.
His sensational fielding performance came on the first ball of the eighth over of the second innings. Yusuf Pathan launched Imran Tahir to the right of long-on. It appeared that the Indian all-rounder had found a gap to strike a straight six.
However, AB de Villiers covered a lot of ground to his right and used a slide to capture the ball. However, he saw that his momentum would carry him over the ropes, so he tossed the ball into the air, allowing Sarel Erwee to complete the catch by diving forward after rushing towards him from deep mid-wicket.
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 pic.twitter.com/ixmXJ6YBSK
— FanCode (@FanCode) July 22, 2025
Earlier in the match, de Villiers smashed the Indian bowlers to all parts of the field, scoring an undefeated 63 off 30 balls, including three fours and four sixes. His innings guided South Africa to a huge 208/6. In response, India scored 111/9 in 18.2 overs when the game was halted due to a floodlight issue.
