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LEEDS: Ravi Bopara’s gutsy hundred, coupled with a clinical four-wicket haul by Ajmal Shahzad, propelled England Champions to a 23-run triumph over India Champions in the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025 at Headingley on Sunday.
Chasing a formidable target of 224-runs, India Champions batting line faltered under pressure. Despite a few notable contributions, they could only muster 200 for 8 in their 20 overs, falling 23 runs short of the mark.
The reigning Champions were jolted with an early blow as Robin Uthappa was removed for a golden duck. Shikhar Dhawan, who gained some form in the previous match, played some good shots before getting dismissed for 17 runs from 16 balls. As a result, India Champions were 33-2 in 5.1 overs.
Despite early setbacks, Ambati Rayudu and Yuvraj Singh looked solid, forging a brief 33-run stand to steer India in the chase.
Rayadu, who had crunched three fours on his way to 28 off 21 deliveries, was caught just when India Champions were looking to accelerate to match the required run rate.
With India three down for 66 runs in eight overs, skipper Yuvraj Singh took the responsibility on his shoulders and crafted a solid 43-run partnership with Stuart Binny, bringing the score over the three-figure mark.
Binny played aggressively with a strike rate of 269, making 35 off 13 balls with the aid of three maximums and three fours before Bopara scalped him to reduce India Champions to 109-3 in 11.3 overs.
With the required down by Binny’s striking, Yuvraj continued to play the second fiddle with Yousuf Pathan now taking the core aggressor role. The duo partnered for a 47-run stand which took India’s score over 150.
The partnership eventually culminated in Yuvraj’s wicket. He made 38 off 27 balls, striking a maximum and four boundaries.
At this point, the Indian Champions required 67 from 26 balls, which was looking an uphill task despite having set Yousuf at the crease.
England Champions displayed clinical bowling in the death overs and took key wickets, which halted India’s progress and eventually resulted in the home side’s first win in the WCL 2025.
Yousuf Pathan made 52 from 29, crisping half a dozen boundaries and two sixes.
For England Champions, Ajmal Shahzad was the standout bowler, taking four wickets in his quota of four overs.
Earlier, after being put into bat, England Champions posted a 223-run total for the loss of only three wickets in their 20 overs.
Ravi Bopara was the star of the match, smashing a fiery ton. He made 110 off 55 deliveries, which included eight towering sixes and an equal number of fours.
England Champions lost an early wicket for three runs as Phil Mustard was cleaned up for a single run.
However, after this wicket, Ian Bell and Ravi Bopara used all of their experience and crafted a mammoth 131-run partnership, bringing the score to 134 in 13.2 overs.
Bell was finally removed for 54 off 39 deliveries while Bopara kept on going and scored a century. Following the strong foundation, Moeen Ali and Samit Patel provided England Champions with a strong finish.
Ali made 33 off 13, whereas Patel scored 20 off nine balls to propel England to a commanding total.
For the India Champions, Harbhajan Singh was the pick of the bowlers, who picked up two wickets.
READ: AB de Villiers’ hits century as South Africa thrash Australia in WCL 2025
