(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
India Champions Remain Winless as England Shine in WCL Clash
India Champions’ difficult run at the World Championship of Legends (WCL) continued as they suffered another defeat, this time at the hands of a well-balanced England side. The match, played at Headingley, Leeds, saw the hosts secure a 23-run victory, pushing India further out of semifinal contention.
Ravi Bopara Stars with Vintage All-Round Display
Veteran all-rounder Ravi Bopara delivered a standout performance, earning Player of the Match honors. The 40-year-old rolled back the years with an unbeaten 110 off 55 balls, while also contributing with the ball and in the field — taking a wicket and three crucial catches.
After losing opener Phil Mustard early, England regained momentum through a solid partnership between Ian Bell (54 off 39) and Bopara. England posted a formidable 223 for 3, boosted by a quickfire 33 from Moeen Ali off just 13 balls, and Samit Patel’s 9-ball 20.
India’s Chase Falls Short
Chasing 224, India Champions struggled to build momentum. Robin Uthappa was dismissed for a duck, and although Shikhar Dhawan and Ambati Rayudu tried to stabilize the innings, consistent breakthroughs by England’s bowlers kept India in check.
The middle order, led by Yuvraj Singh, Stuart Binny, and Yusuf Pathan (52 off 29), mounted a late resistance. Pathan’s power-hitting briefly reignited hope, but the required run rate proved too high. India eventually finished on 200 for 8, falling 23 runs short.
Tournament Implications
With this loss, India Champions remain winless in the current WCL campaign and are now virtually out of semifinal contention. Meanwhile, England’s victory boosts their chances of progressing to the final four.
Pakistan, South Africa, and Australia have already qualified for the semifinals, with one remaining spot still up for grabs as the group stage nears its conclusion.
