LEICESTER, England – A defiant half-century from Kieron Pollard proved too little, too late as the West Indies Champions stumbled to a five-wicket defeat against India Champions, bringing their World Championship of Legends campaign to a disheartening end.
In a match where victory was essential to secure a semi-final berth, the Caribbean side produced an underwhelming performance with the bat, managing just 144 for nine from their allotted 20 overs. India, in contrast, chased down the target with brutal efficiency—reaching 148 for five in just 13.2 overs—to book their place in the knockout stage alongside cricketing giants Pakistan, Australia, and South Africa.
Pollard’s heroics amid batting collapse
Sent in to bat on a fresh surface, the West Indies innings was once again carried by the dependable shoulders of Kieron Pollard, who struck a scintillating unbeaten 74 off 43 balls, peppered with eight towering sixes and three boundaries.
Opening partner Dwayne Smith chipped in with 20, but the rest of the batting order faltered spectacularly. From 71 for three, the innings unraveled rapidly, plummeting to 111 for nine, threatening a complete collapse before Pollard found a sliver of resistance in last-man Sheldon Cottrell.
The pair added a vital 33-run stand—though all runs came off Pollard’s bat—pushing the West Indies to a total that, while competitive, was well below par for the conditions and opposition.
Binny, Chawla lead India’s charge
India’s bowlers laid the foundation for their triumph. Piyush Chawla led the attack with 3-18, while Stuart Binny (2-17) and Varun Aaron (2-40) delivered key blows to derail the Caribbean innings.
When it was India’s turn to bat, they required not only to chase 145 for victory but to do so within 14.1 overs to ensure qualification. And they did so with chilling precision.
Despite a shaky start that saw them slip to 52 for four by the eighth over, India regrouped swiftly. Binny, returning with the bat after his success with the ball, anchored the chase with a dominant unbeaten 50 off just 21 balls, smashing four sixes and three fours.
Binny, Yuvraj, and Pathan seal the win
Binny found an ideal partner in skipper Yuvraj Singh, whose explosive 21 off 11 balls propelled India ahead of the required rate. The pair added 66 runs in just four overs, breaking the back of the chase.
After Yuvraj’s dismissal, Yusuf Pathan entered and closed the show with an imperious 21 not out off seven deliveries, ensuring India cruised past the target with 40 balls to spare.
For West Indies, Dwayne Smith (2-21) and Dwayne Bravo (2-47) picked up early wickets, but the team’s inability to maintain pressure cost them dearly in the middle overs.
Bottom of the table exit for Windies Legends
With only one win from five matches, the West Indies Champions finished last in the six-team table on just two points, capping a tournament campaign marked by inconsistency and unfulfilled potential.
