After delivering a vintage performance in the World Championship of Legends 2025 final - AB de Villiers offered a heartfelt message to Indian fans. He called the country his "second home."
The South Africa Champions skipper had earlier led his team to a 9-wicket win over Pakistan Champions; sealing the title with an unbeaten 120 off 60 balls.
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Having long shared a deep connection with Indian cricket fans - particularly through his years in the IPL with Royal Challengers Bengaluru, de Villiers opened up about how much the support means to him.
AB de Villiers hails India as his "second home" after WCL 2025 final win
Speaking on a podcast with Shubhankar Mishra, de Villiers expressed his affection for India in an emotional statement:
"India is my second home - I sort of fell in love with the culture - the country, the people & their absolute love for cricket."
His words were received well across social media where fans flooded timelines with appreciation for the South African legend.
De Villiers' bond with India has only grown over the years and this latest tribute came at a moment when he had once again shown why he remains one of the most beloved cricketers globally.
In the final, de Villiers played one of the tournament's best innings. He helped South Africa chase down 196 in just 16.5 overs.
JP Duminy also scored an unbeaten 50 and the duo left Pakistan bowlers stunned. As the focus remains on South Africa's emphatic win, de Villiers' tribute to Indian fans added a personal and emotional layer to the tournament's closing moments.