The India Champions produced a stunning all-round performance to qualify for the semi-finals of the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025, defeating the West Indies Champions by five wickets at Grace Road, Leicester. Chasing a steep target of 145 in just 14.1 overs to stay alive in the tournament, India completed the task in just 13.2 overs — with five balls to spare.
The hero of the match was Stuart Binny, whose explosive half-century anchored the chase. His quickfire 50*, supported by vital cameos from skipper Yuvraj Singh and the ever-aggressive Yusuf Pathan, helped India cruise to victory in dominant fashion. Binny’s calm aggression under pressure ensured India not only chased the total but did so within the required time frame to surpass net run rate margins and qualify.
Earlier, West Indies Champions were rescued from a top-order collapse by Kieron Pollard’s brute power. The former Windies skipper smashed eight sixes in a blazing knock of 74, lifting his team from a dire 43/5 to a competitive 144/9. However, his lone effort wasn’t enough to halt the Indian surge.
With this win, India secured the fourth spot in the points table and will now face top-ranked Pakistan Champions in the first semi-final, scheduled for Thursday. This highly-anticipated clash comes with added weight, as India had earlier refused to play Pakistan in the group stage due to political tensions between the two nations.
Now, with both cricketing giants locking horns in a knockout, the stage is set for a high-voltage encounter. Can India ride the momentum, or will Pakistan continue their unbeaten run? All eyes will be on this much-awaited semifinal.