Yuvraj vs AB: a marquee WCL opener with old rivals and new stakes
The World Championship of Legends is back with a throwback blockbuster: India Champions vs South Africa Champions in Kirtipur, Nepal, on July 23, 2025 (7:30 PM IST). Yuvraj Singh captains India; AB de Villiers leads South Africa. For India, this is the first game of their campaign, which makes a fast start non‑negotiable. For South Africa, it’s a chance to firm up early momentum in a tournament that leaves little room for error.
This isn’t just nostalgia. The line-ups are packed with hitters and high-IQ bowlers who know how to control T20 phases. India Champions have Yuvraj Singh alongside Shikhar Dhawan, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, and Yusuf Pathan. South Africa Champions are built around AB de Villiers and leg-spinner Imran Tahir, with more retired Proteas names to be confirmed by the team management closer to the toss.
The setting adds to the buzz. The Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur is a compact venue where mis-hits can still travel, and the evening air helps the ball carry. July sits in Nepal’s monsoon window, so teams will keep an eye on passing showers and the dew factor. If dew sets in, chasing can get easier; if the surface stays dry and grips, spinners jump into the game.
Expect a tempo-heavy contest. India’s top order likes to set the tone early—Dhawan’s timing and Raina’s busy middle-overs game complement Yuvraj’s power. South Africa will bank on AB’s all-court strokeplay and Tahir’s control through the middle. One clean over or one powerplay burst could flip it.
Watch these match-ups:
- Yuvraj Singh vs Imran Tahir: left-hand power against the googly and the quick leg-break.
- AB de Villiers vs India’s spinners: can India deny him pace and force him square?
- Shikhar Dhawan vs the new ball: if he bats deep, India’s finishers get a launchpad.
- Suresh Raina in overs 7–15: his ability to rotate and pick boundaries can blunt Tahir’s overs.
Fielding and fitness will matter. These are retired internationals, but the competitive edge remains. Managing spells, rotating fielders to the hot zones, and using match-ups smartly will separate the sides. On a batting-friendly night, 175–190 could be par; anything above that needs early wickets to defend.
This fixture also refreshes a familiar rivalry. India vs South Africa games have often turned on fine margins—one dropped catch, one smart review, one over of spin that goes for five instead of fifteen. That knife-edge feeling should be back under lights in Kirtipur.
When and where to watch, conditions, and tournament format
Key details at a glance:
- Match: India Champions vs South Africa Champions, WCL 2025
- Date: Wednesday, July 23, 2025
- Time: 7:30 PM IST | 7:45 PM NPT (Nepal) | 2:00 PM UTC | 4:00 PM SAST (South Africa)
- Venue: Tribhuvan University International Cricket Ground, Kirtipur, Nepal
- TV in India: Sony Sports Network channels
- Digital in India: SonyLIV (subscription may be required; availability outside India can vary)
The tournament runs a round‑robin league before moving to knockouts. Points and net run rate will decide semifinal spots, so every over counts. A heavy win early can be a safety net later, which is why India’s opener carries extra weight.
Conditions to watch in Kirtipur: a dry surface tends to aid strokeplay, with true bounce early. If rain skirts the valley and humidity climbs, the ball can skid on at night. Captains will weigh bat vs bowl at the toss based on grass cover, cloud, and outfield moisture. If dew arrives, expect more cross-seam pace off the deck and straighter lines to the stumps.
Team selection could hinge on balance. India have multiple left-hand options and power finishers; they may back two frontline spinners plus a seam-bowling all-rounder if the pitch looks abrasive. South Africa can stack middle-overs control around Tahir and use canny medium pace to take pace off. Both sides will likely hold a death over or two for their most experienced quick.
What’s a good target? On a clean surface, anything under 170 invites a chase. Between 175 and 190 is the battleground. Above 200 demands a powerplay strike or two, or 12 tight balls through overs 7–12 to choke the rate.
Keep an eye on the small stuff that swings T20s: third-man and fine-leg placements for edges, protecting the short straight boundary, and the bravery to bowl a hard length when the ball is wet. Also watch the running: these players read angles well, and stolen twos can be the hidden runs that decide a tight finish.
For fans in the stands, this is a rare treat. Kirtipur has hosted packed, vocal crowds for Nepal’s rise; seeing Yuvraj and AB share a stage there turns it into a cricket festival. For viewers at home, the broadcast window hits prime time in India and a handy afternoon slot in South Africa, which means plenty of eyeballs and a loud, shared commentary of nostalgia and new storylines.
Bottom line: expect sixes, smart match-ups, and two greats calling the shots. One of them walks away with early control of their campaign.
