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Former India cricketer Suresh Raina said that India Champions would have beaten Pakistan had they played them in the recently-concluded World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025. India Champions pulled out of their league stage and semi-final clash against Pakistan due to tensions between two countries. While India Champions gave up the chance to win WCL for second consecutive season, Raina lauded South Africa Champions captain AB de Villiers for landing a crushing blow to Mohammad Hafeez-led side with his unbeaten 120 in the final on August 2 at Edgbaston, Birmingham.
"What a knock by @ABdeVilliers17 in the final, absolutely smashed it. Had we played, we would’ve crushed them too, but we chose our nation above everything else. Full respect to @EaseMyTrip and @nishantpitti for standing firm and not supporting any match involving them. That’s real character," Raina wrote on X.
Dismissed for a single-digit score in the semifinal against Australia Champions, De Villiers battled cramp to lead his side to an easy nine-wicket win with his 120-run knock from just 60 balls. He smashed 12 fours and seven sixes as South Africa chased down the target of 196 in 16.5 overs. The skipper shared an unbeaten 125-run partnership for the second wicket with Jean-Paul Duminy who scored 50 runs from 28 balls.
Raina struggles for form in WCL 2025
Raina registered scores of 11-ball 16 ( against South Africa), run-a-ball 11 (against Australia Champions), 9-ball 7 (against West Indies Champions) in the WCL 2025. He was part of Yuvraj Singh-led side that beat Pakistan in the previous edition of WCL.
How Yuvraj, Harbhajan reacted to De Villiers’ SA’s win
Not just Raina, other prominent cricketers of India Champions congratulated De Villiers on the the win as well.
“AB still making it look easy.. timing, class, composure… some things never fade! well played by @jpduminy21 too. Congrats to the South Africa Legends on a top win at the @WclLeague final. A true reminder of why we love this game no matter what the age or stage,” Yuvraj wrote on X.
“Congratulations South Africa Legends for winning the finals of @WclLeague against Pakistan.
@ABdeVilliers17 what a player. You can still play for main SA team and IPL or any other tournament in the world. Proper Bossman,” Harbhajan wrote on X.
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