INDL VS WIL T20
1st Semi-Final, Raipur, March 17, 2021, 07:00 PM
India Legends
218/3(20.0ov)
West Indies Legends
206/6(20.0ov)
India Legends beat West Indies Legends by 12 runs
Best Batsmen
R
B
4S
6S
SR
Best Bowler
O
R
W
Econ
Man of the Match
Yuvraj Singh
Commentry
Who is better? Brian Lara or Sachin Tendulkar? This match brought that nostalgia back to us again. Both the maestros turned back the clock and gave us a glimpse of class and authority, something we grew up watching. It was a thoroughly entertaining game and India Legends managed to edge out West Indies Legends by a whisker. That's all we have from this match. Do join us on Friday, 19th March 2021, at 1900 local (1330 GMT) for the second semi-final between Sri Lanka Legends and South Africa Legends. Until then, it's goodbye and cheers!
MAN OF THE MATCH IS YUVRAJ SINGH! He starts by saying that he was lucky again as he was dropped and he made the most of it. Tells that Tino Best had bowled his four overs and West Indies Legends had to bowl the spinners and he was waiting for them. On the secret behind his still head, Yuvraj says that it's hard to get used to the pace of the wicket early on and he was trying to maintain a still head and not hit too hard. He is happy that it went his way in the end. Praises Yusuf for his knock and feels that they had a big total on the board and that's why they managed to stretch the game. Feels that the way they are playing at the moment, they should be able to beat whoever makes it to the final. Thanks the crowd for coming and supporting them.
Sachin Tendulkar, the winning captain of India Legends, calls this game simply terrific. He further terms the approach to the chase by West Indies as scary. Adds that it was wonderful how his team held its nerves and credits his pacers along with Pragyan Ojha. Feels that the bowlers chipped in when it mattered. Sachin states that it was special hitting by Yuvraj and Yusuf and those last few sixes changed the momentum and 219 was a big target. Regarding how is it doing captaincy in such situations, Tendulkar replies that sometimes you have a number of things going through your mind. Says that you don't talk about technique as what's on the board matters the most. Stresses that it's about the game plan and nothing else. Shares that there have been niggles and injuries in his camp but the players have not backed out.
Brian Lara, the captain of West Indies Legends, comes up with a wry smile on his face. Starts by saying that it was an amazing game and the crowd would have enjoyed it. Congratulates both the teams. Tells that his boys gave it all and shares that it was a very good batting track. Smiles and further says that Yuvraj's knock pushed the target out of their reach. Lara is amazed at Yuvraj's bat swing and calls it unbelievable. Adds that he was happy to be back to play this series and it's been a good 2-3 weeks for them. Prince signs off by wishing India all the best for the final.
Brian Lara arrived at the crease and he too looked in fine form. This was the time when Narsingh Deonarine took the role of the aggressor and Lara supported him well. This pair formed yet another quickfire stand, 80 off 43 balls, but the demise of Lara changed the landscape of the run chase. The Indian bowling was poor but they upped their game when it mattered the most. The final three overs of the chase was bowled with aplomb by Vinay, Gony and Irfan and they earned a hard-fought win and the ticket to the finale for India Legends. Stay tuned for the presentation...
The stand between Smith and Deonarine wasn't only about big-hitting but they also did well to rotate the strike and kept India on their toes. The hosts struggled for control in the middle overs too as the required rate continued to come down drastically. There was a moment when Dwayne offered them an opportunity but Yusuf Pathan gave him life on 53. However, soon after that Irfan sent him back with his brother making no mistake that time and closed the 99-run stand for the second wicket. With 101 needed off 55 balls, the home team thought they will gain the upper hand but that was not to be.
Wow, what a humdinger! A high-scoring game! Truly entertaining for everyone, barring the bowlers. They were put to the swords and with nothing on offer from the surface, the bowlers from both teams were at the mercy of the batsmen. India Legends batted with plenty of intent to notch up the highest score of the tournament and West Indies Legends responded by hammering the most runs in the Powerplay in this term, i.e. 71. The game got interestingly poised after the first six overs as the pair of Dwayne Smith and Narsingh Deonarine made their intentions crystal clear.
In over#