Sharjah, October 3 (Udaipur Kiran) : Former South African captain AB de Villiers is gearing up to defend his title at the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2026, which kicks off in Sharjah from October 3 to 18. He has stressed the importance of balancing friendship off the field with a fierce competitive spirit on it. De Villiers advised his team to set aside camaraderie as they prepare to face their opponents.
Leading the South Africa Champions, de Villiers will begin their campaign against the West Indies Champions on Sunday. The defending champions are coming off a remarkable victory in 2025, where they triumphed over the Pakistan Champions by nine wickets. In the final, de Villiers showcased his prowess by scoring an unbeaten 120 runs off just 60 balls.
In a special conversation with the official broadcaster FanCode, de Villiers reflected on his motivation for participating in the WCL, saying it was a chance to relive old memories and reunite with former teammates. He noted that the previous season was particularly memorable for him, as he had the opportunity to lead the team after missing the inaugural season.
De Villiers shared insights about the team dynamics, revealing that while they enjoyed light-hearted moments off the field, the competitive mindset kicked in as soon as they stepped onto the pitch. He emphasized that their focus was on winning rather than making friends, stating, “We are here to win, not to make friends.”
The former cricketer expressed pride in the team’s performance during the last tournament, describing the victory as one of the highlights of his cricketing career. Despite being retired, he remains dedicated to fitness and preparation, having started training two months prior to the tournament. He continues to hit the nets and maintain his physical condition, working out at the gym multiple times a week.
With the return of former teammate Faf du Plessis and other notable players like JP Duminy and Imran Tahir, de Villiers is optimistic about their chances to defend the title. He concluded by stating that while cricket may not be as serious post-retirement, the desire to represent his country and win remains strong. “We hope to successfully defend our title at WCL 2026 in the UAE,” he said.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.