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India Champions led by Yuvraj Singh remained winless in the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025. They were defeated by England Champions by 23 runs at Headingley, Leeds as Ravi Bopara starred with an unbeaten 55-ball 110.
Bopara's scintillating ton
Yuvraj won the toss and bowl first. Varun Aaron knocked over Phil Mustard for a single-digit score. Bopara and Ian Bell made use of the fielding restrictions. England were 64/1 after powerplay overs. In the 10th over, Bopara hit Stuart Binny for three sixes in a row over long-on. He reached his half-century from 22 balls. In the 11th over, Bell reached his fifty from 33 balls.
In the 14th over, Harbhajan broke the partnership. Moeen Ali hit three sixes and a four in the 15th over. The onslaught continued as Bopara hit Vinay Kumar for a six, three fours. In the 18th over, Harbhajan dismissed Ali for a 13-ball 33. Bopara reached his century from 51 balls. Samit Patel contributed with a nine-ball 20 cameo. Bopara finished the innings with a six as England posted 223/3.
Poor start to run chase
In the run chase, Robin Uthappa disappointed as he got out to Ryan Sidebottom for a two-ball duck. In the fourth over, Shikhar Dhawan and Ambati Rayudu hit Ali for a six each. Dhawan's stay at the crease was ended in the sixth over by Ajmal Shahbzad. He got bowled for a 16-ball 17. After powerplay overs, India were 35/2. Rayudu tried to accelerate but was caught in the deep off Stuart Meaker's bowling. At the halfway stage, India were 77/3.
Yusuf's fifty and cameos not enough
With required run rate climbing up, Binny hit Meaker for two sixes and two fours. His cameo was ended by Bopara in the 12th over. He contributed with a 13-ball 35. Yuvraj and Yusuf Pathan got the run chase back on track. In the 16th over, Meaker broke the parntership with Yuvraj's wicket. The skipper scored 38 runs from 27 balls. Irfan Pathan failed to make an impact and became Shahzad's second victim. Yusuf reached his fifty from 23 balls but failed to take India over the line. He departed for a 29-ball 52. Shahzad claimed four wickets as he dismissed Vinay for a golden duck. India managed to post 200/8 and lost the match by 23 runs.
Despite the three defeats, India are not out of the semifinal race. They will play West Indies in their last league game at Grace Road, Leicester. If they win by a big margin, and finish with a better net run rate (NRR) than England, the defending champions will progress to the semifinals.
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