IND C vs SA C, WCL 2025 | Twitter loves it as Yusuf Pathan channels inner fanboy with heartfelt gesture to ABD

‌South Africa Champions won their second straight match of the World Championship of Legends 2025 season, beating India by 88 runs in a rain-shortened match in Northampton on Tuesday. Batting first, the Proteas made a formidable 206/6 on the back of an entertaining half-century by AB de Villiers. The former wicketkeeper-batter hit four fours and three sixes to top-score in the contest with a 30-ball 61, while JJ Smuts’ cameo of 30 from 17 balls helped the side cross the 200-run mark. The spin duo of Yusuf Pathan and Piyush Chawla picked up two wickets each for India Champions.

In return, India could manage only 111/9 in 18.2 when rain halted play with the DLS par score at 200. Left-arm spinner Aaron Phangiso was the pick among the Proteas bowlers with a spell of 3/17, while Imran Tahir and Wayne Parnell had two wickets each.

But what caught the attention of the cricketing world was Yusuf Pathan’s heartfelt gesture in the first innings when de Villiers was at the crease. The former Royal Challengers Bengaluru player was returning to the non-striker’s end after having a word with his batting partner, with Pathan ready to send down the next delivery.

To his surprise, de Villiers saw Pathan smiling at him with his right hand on his chest as a mark of love and respect. The Proteas batter acknowledged the gesture with a smile on his face as play proceeded further. It is not every day that a player like AB de Villiers takes the cricketing field, and Twitteratti loved Pathan’s lovely action to show the South African where he belongs.