New Delhi, October 3 (Daily Kiran) : Former South African captain AB de Villiers has made it clear that as he prepares to defend his title in the World Championship of Legends (WCL) in the UAE, the focus must be on fierce competition rather than camaraderie. De Villiers stated that he has urged his team to set aside friendships once they step onto the field.
Leading the South Africa Champions, de Villiers will kick off the tournament on Sunday against the West Indies Champions in Sharjah. The tournament runs from October 3 to 18. The defending champions are coming off a stunning victory in 2025, where they defeated the Pakistan Champions by nine wickets. In that final, de Villiers scored an impressive 120 runs off just 60 balls.
In a conversation with FanCode, the official broadcaster of the WCL, de Villiers reflected on the nostalgia of participating in the tournament. He noted that one of the main reasons he joined last year was to relive old memories and reconnect with former teammates. “The first season was special for me,” he said, as he had missed the inaugural edition. “In the second season, as captain, I had great conversations with both old teammates and rivals who have become friends over the years.”
De Villiers described the atmosphere during their stay, highlighting the light-hearted moments shared before and after matches. However, he acknowledged the pressure that comes with being captain. “As soon as I stepped onto the field, my competitive mindset kicked in. I told the team we are here to win, not to make friends. That can happen after the match,” he added, emphasizing their strong performance on the field.
Winning the trophy was a memorable experience for de Villiers, something he had not anticipated. “It stands out as one of the highlights of my cricketing career, even though I am retired now,” he remarked. He fondly recalled the evenings spent with friends from rival teams, enjoying the camaraderie off the field.
Former captain Faf du Plessis will also make his WCL debut, joining de Villiers along with other former Proteas players like JP Duminy, Wayne Parnell, Imran Tahir, Richard Levi, and Colin Ingram. Fast bowling legend Allan Donald will serve as the head coach.
Discussing his preparation and fitness for the tournament, de Villiers expressed his enjoyment of last year’s WCL experience. “Winning the tournament was even more thrilling. I surprised myself with my batting performance,” he said. He began training two months prior, focusing on hitting balls to get his muscles ready for action. “I maintain an active lifestyle and work hard on my fitness, going to the gym at least four or five times a week.”
De Villiers acknowledged that while his fitness remains good, returning to hitting the ball effectively after a break from cricket is challenging. “Fielding requires consistent practice, and I’ve been working hard to get back to playing shape,” he noted.
He concluded by stating, “Retirement changes the seriousness of cricket, but representing your country means you always strive to win. I hope we can successfully defend our title at WCL 2026 in the UAE.”
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