AB de Villiers’ much-anticipated return to competitive cricket ended in disappointment, as the legendary batter failed to make an impact with the bat. After years away from the professional scene, fans were eager to see “Mr. 360” back in action during the World Championship of Legends 2025.
Representing the South Africa Champions, hopes were high that AB would deliver a trademark performance. Unfortunately, the comeback didn’t unfold as expected.
The match took place at Edgbaston in Birmingham, where the South Africa Champions faced off against the West Indies Champions in their second group-stage clash.
De Villiers walked in to bat amid loud cheers from the crowd, who were visibly excited to witness the return of one of cricket’s most innovative stroke-makers. However, the excitement quickly turned to silence as his innings came to an abrupt end.
De Villiers managed to score only 3 runs before being dismissed. Attempting an aggressive shot over the covers, he mistimed the stroke and failed to generate the required elevation.
The ball sailed straight into the hands of the fielder, resulting in a tame dismissal. It was a moment that left both de Villiers and his supporters frustrated, as the crowd had hoped for something far more substantial.
Known for his flair, unorthodox style, and ability to dominate bowlers around the world, AB de Villiers’ return had been widely celebrated in the lead-up to the tournament.
His brief stay at the crease served as a stark reminder of the challenges involved in returning to high-level cricket after a significant break. While his presence added star power to the event, the performance was far from the standard fans associate with him.
Abd aay aur abd gaye 😭👍🏻 pic.twitter.com/Vp37QKxHd8
— kc (@kohliception) July 19, 2025
Though this outing was underwhelming, the tournament is far from over, and there may yet be opportunities for de Villiers to rediscover his form. Fans will be hoping that this was just a minor blip and that the former South African captain can still light up the tournament in the matches to come. For now, however, his comeback has started on a rather subdued note.