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South Africa Champions will face India Champions in the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2026 at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on October 10. The defending champions will look to continue their strong start to the tournament when they take on a star-studded Indian side featuring several former international players.
Fixture note: Cricbuzz lists this encounter as the 11th Match, while the official WCL website identifies it as Match 9. The match is scheduled for 7:30 PM UAE time at Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
South Africa Champions began their campaign in impressive fashion, defeating West Indies Champions by 97 runs. Richard Levi smashed 87 off 39 balls, while AB de Villiers scored 70 off 39 deliveries to power the team to 242/5. Imran Tahir and Aaron Phangiso then claimed three wickets each as the Proteas Legends bowled West Indies out for 145.
India Champions will present a different challenge, with experienced batters and multiple bowling options in their squad. South Africa are expected to rely on their established combination, with their explosive top order and experienced spin attack likely to play crucial roles.
Here is the predicted South Africa Champions playing XI for the contest.
Faf du Plessis is expected to open the innings and provide stability at the top. The former South African captain has extensive experience in T20 cricket and knows how to pace an innings according to the match situation.
Against India’s experienced bowling attack, Faf will need to negotiate the early overs carefully before taking advantage of the fielding restrictions. His ability to rotate the strike and accelerate later makes him a valuable opener.
Richard Levi should retain his place after producing a sensational performance in South Africa’s opening match.
The right-hander smashed 87 off just 39 balls against West Indies Champions, striking eight sixes and five fours. His aggressive approach put the opposition under pressure and helped South Africa post a formidable total.
Levi will once again be expected to attack from the outset. If he gets settled against India’s new-ball bowlers, he could give South Africa another explosive start.
AB de Villiers is expected to lead South Africa Champions and take responsibility in the middle order, while also offering wicketkeeping cover.
The former South African star made an excellent start to the competition with 70 off 39 balls against West Indies. His ability to play shots all around the ground makes him one of the most dangerous batters in the tournament.
Against India, de Villiers’ experience and ability to handle spin could prove particularly important. His captaincy will also be crucial in managing the bowling resources against a powerful batting lineup.
Colin Ingram is likely to occupy the No. 4 position. The left-handed batter can provide stability if South Africa lose an early wicket and has the ability to accelerate when required.
Ingram’s experience in franchise cricket makes him a useful option against India’s mix of pace and spin. He will need to build partnerships with de Villiers and the lower middle order to ensure South Africa maintain their scoring rate.
Sarel Erwee could retain his place in the middle order. His role will be to rotate the strike, build partnerships and support the more aggressive batters around him.
If India manage to remove Levi and Faf early, Erwee’s ability to settle the innings could become particularly important. He also provides South Africa with a left-handed option in the batting lineup.
Jean-Paul Duminy is a strong candidate for the middle-order all-rounder’s role. His left-handed batting and off-spin give South Africa flexibility in both departments.
Duminy can target spin through the middle overs and contribute useful runs at the death. With India’s lineup featuring several experienced spinners, his ability to manipulate the field and find boundaries could be valuable.
Albie Morkel is expected to feature as a pace-bowling all-rounder. He offers power-hitting in the lower order and can provide useful overs with his medium pace.
His ability to clear the ropes could help South Africa finish strongly if the top order lays a solid platform. With the ball, Morkel will need to vary his pace and lengths to contain India’s aggressive batters.
Wayne Parnell should feature as one of South Africa’s main seam-bowling options. The left-arm bowler provides variety and can be effective with the new ball as well as during the closing overs.
Parnell’s angle could be useful against India’s right-handed batters, while his experience in limited-overs cricket gives de Villiers a dependable option during pressure situations.
Robbie Frylinck is likely to retain his place as a bowling all-rounder. He claimed two wickets against West Indies Champions and demonstrated his ability to make an impact with the ball.
His variations could prove useful against India’s power-hitters, especially in the middle and death overs. Frylinck also adds depth to the batting order.
Imran Tahir should lead the spin attack after an excellent performance in the opening game. The veteran leg-spinner claimed three wickets against West Indies Champions and played a major role in restricting their chase.
His variations, changes of pace and attacking mindset make him a major threat in the middle overs. Tahir’s battle against India’s experienced batters could be one of the key contests of the match.
Aaron Phangiso is expected to complete the XI as the second specialist spinner. The left-arm spinner also claimed three wickets in the opening match, giving South Africa an effective spin combination.
Phangiso’s accuracy and ability to vary his trajectory could help restrict India’s scoring during the middle overs. His inclusion would give de Villiers the flexibility to use spin from both ends.
| No. | Player |
| 1 | Faf du Plessis |
| 2 | Richard Levi |
| 3 | AB de Villiers (c & wk) |
| 4 | Colin Ingram |
| 5 | Sarel Erwee |
| 6 | Jean-Paul Duminy |
| 7 | Albie Morkel |
| 8 | Wayne Parnell |
| 9 | Robbie Frylinck |
| 10 | Imran Tahir |
| 11 | Aaron Phangiso |
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