AAC VS IAC 2ND SEMI FINAL

Right then, that is it from this one-sided semifinal where the Men in Blue knock the Aussies out of the tournament. The next one in the WCL 2024 is the big finale on 13th July, Saturday. It just got even bigger as it will be the India Champions taking on the Pakistan Champions in a huge clash at a different venue - Edgbaston, Birmingham. That game will begin at 9 pm IST (3.30 pm GMT), but as you know, you can always join us early for all the build-up. Until then, cheers and goodbye!

Yuvraj Singh, the victorious skipper of India Champions is also the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his fantastic knock of 59 runs off 28 balls. He says that they had to play their best cricket and he is happy that they did. Feels that this award should have gone to a bowler. Lauds Rahul Shukla and Dhawal Kulkarni for the way they bowled. Shares that the wicket was up and down and getting 250 was a big total. Further says that if you want to beat a side like Australia, you need a big performance. Adds that he wanted to take the responsibility and not leave it to others. Says that with Robin Uthappa batting the way he was at the other end, it was important for him to knock it around and not go for the big shots. States that India vs Pakistan is a dream final for the viewers and hopes for a jam-packed crowd.

Brett Lee, the captain of Australia Champions says that what could have gone wrong has gone wrong in this game. Adds that it is unfortunate that this had to be in the semifinal but he is proud of his team for the way they have played throughout this tournament. Mentions that he cannot really blame the batters as it was a huge total to chase and they had to go right from the start. Says that this is a great initiative and he has enjoyed every moment of this league.

Presentation Time...

Earlier in the game, India Champions posted a mammoth total on the board courtesy of smashing fifties from skipper Yuvraj Singh, Robin Uthappa, and the Pathan brothers, who stole the show at the death. The Aussies were a bit disappointed with the ball and everyone disappeared except for Dan Christian who was economical. Peter Siddle managed to get a four-fer while Nathan Coulter-Nile and Xavier Doherty chipped in with one each. While we get ready for the presentation, pretty sure that this question will be posed to Brett Lee, regarding the toss decision, especially given the fact that Aussies generally like to put a score on the board in knockout matches. Do stay tuned...

India Champions, on the other hand, will be really pleased with their bowling effort and even happier that it came right before the big final. Yuvraj Singh assessed the pitch perfectly at the toss and mentioned that he was happy to bat first and his assessment proved to be correct. The pitch slowed down considerably during the run chase and all the Indian bowlers made merry. It was Dhawal Kulkarni who set the tone with a couple of early wickets but overall, everyone chipped in. They kept picking up wickets at regular intervals and never let the momentum get away from them.

Australia Champions needed a strong start chasing this big total but it wasn't to be. Before this game, they didn't lose more than one wicket in the Powerplay but lost three here and that did not help at all. The middle order tried their best but with the asking rate creeping up with every ball, no one was able to stick around for long. Towards the end, there were some fireworks by Tim Paine and Nathan Coulter-Nile, but that was just to put some respect to the total.

WE HAVE AN INDIA-PAKISTAN FINAL! The Men in Blue have completely dominated the Aussies in this semifinal, avenging their league game defeat and stormed into the championship match. Australia Champions were brilliant throughout the tournament, but in a crunch game, their bowlers let them down. It was really a treat to watch them, but unfortunately for the Aussies, that one bad day came in a knockout game and they have to say goodbye to this league.

SIX! Straight down the ground! As clean as a whistle. But it is India Champions who storm into the finale and they will play Pakistan Champions in Birmingham! Right into the slot from Kulkarni on the stumps, Tim Paine clears his front leg and punishes it down the ground, picking the bones out of it for a six. INDIA CHAMPIONS WIN BY 86 RUNS!

A yorker around off, this is dug out towards long on. And again, Paine denies to take the single.

In the air...but safe! On a length outside off, Paine looks to hoist this over mid-wicket, but gets no real timing at it and slices it over mid-wicket. The ball lands in the safe zone an they cross for a couple of runs in the meantime.

Full outside off, Paine digs this one out towards long on but the two batters refrain from running.

On a length outside off, Siddle makes room to try and thump this over the off side, but ends up scuffing it up towards mid off for just a single.

Dhawal Kulkarni bowls it on a good length, and outside off, Tim Paine stands tall and pulls it over mid-wicket. The ball lands on one bounce in front of Ambati Rayudu at deep mid-wicket. A single taken.

Who will bowl the last over? It will be Dhawal Kulkarni (3-0-33-2).

Slower one, pitched up and outside off, Siddle bunts this towards Raina at long on and denies a single.

A length-delivery outside off, Siddle stands tall and drives this to the right of sweeper cover and collects a brace.