India Champions faced yet another setback in the World Championship of Legends (WCL) 2025. On Sunday, they went down to England Champions by 23 runs in a high-scoring match. This marked India’s third defeat in the ongoing tournament.

Yuvraj Wins Toss, Chooses to Bowl First

Captain Yuvraj Singh won the toss and decided to bowl first, hoping to take advantage of early conditions. The decision paid off briefly when Varun Aaron dismissed Phil Mustard early, giving India Champions a promising start.

Bopara and Bell Steady England’s Innings

However, Ian Bell and Ravi Bopara quickly turned the tide. They stitched together a solid partnership and kept the scoreboard ticking. While Bell anchored the innings, Bopara took charge of the aggressive play.

Eventually, Ravi Bopara powered his way to a brilliant century. He scored 110 runs off just 55 balls, hitting boundaries all around the ground. His knock helped England Champions finish at a commanding total of 223 for 3 in their 20 overs.

India Champions Fall Short Despite Pathan’s Effort

Chasing a stiff target, India Champions struggled to maintain momentum. Although Yusuf Pathan fought back with a fiery 52 off 29 balls, the team couldn’t keep up with the required run rate.

The rest of the batting line-up failed to convert their starts into big scores. England’s bowlers kept things tight in the death overs and picked up key wickets at regular intervals. India Champions eventually managed to reach 200 for 8 in their 20 overs, falling short by 23 runs.

Tournament Outlook

With this loss, India Champions have now suffered their third defeat in the tournament. The team will need to regroup quickly to stay in contention for the knockout rounds. Meanwhile, England Champions continue to build momentum after another impressive performance.