Road Safety World Series 2020/21, Semi-Final 1: India Legends vs West Indies Legends - India Legends Reach Final After Winning Thrilling Semi-Final

India Legends reached the final of the Road Safety World Series 2020/21 after beating West Indies Legends by 12 runs in the high-scoring thriller of the first semi-final of this tournament.

After West Indies Legends captain Brian Lara won the toss, they chose to bowl first. While India Legends scored 218/3 (20 overs), West Indies Legends replied with 206/6 (20 overs).

Road Safety World Series 2020/21, Semi-Final 1: India Legends vs West Indies Legends

2nd innings (West Indies Legends): Dwayne Smith, Narsingh Deonarine and Brian Lara’s brave fight just failed

While West Indies Legends opener Dwayne Smith once again provided the firing start, Manpreet Gony took the wicket of the other opener William Perkins (9) on his first ball of the match, which was the first ball of the second over of this innings.

However, Smith and Narsingh Deonarine set up the 99 runs partnership for the second wicket and that too in less than 10 overs. After completing his half-century, Smith scored 63 runs off 36 balls (9 fours and 2 sixes) before Irfan Pathan took the wicket. Three balls later, Kirk Edwards was stumped out for a golden duck as Pragyan Ojha got that wicket.

Then Deonarine and captain Brian Lara put the 80 runs partnership for the fourth wicket as West Indies Legends came very close to the target. But, at the very late moment, Lara lost his wicket for 46 off 28 balls (4 fours and 2 sixes) as Vinay Kumar bowled him while Deonarine was run out on the third ball of the final over after scoring 59 off 44 balls (5 fours and 2 sixes). After taking the wicket of Lara, Vinay Kumar also picked up the wicket of Tino Best in that same 19th over.

While West Indies Legends needed 17 runs in the final over to win that game, they only managed to add four runs with the loss of Deonarine.

1st innings (India Legends): Sachin Tendulkar scored 65 runs before Yusuf Pathan and Yuvraj Singh’s fires in the death overs

India Legends openers Virender Sehwag and Sachin Tendulkar provided a strong start with the 56 runs partnership for the opening wicket as Tino Best ended that partnership after his caught & bowled helped the Caribbean team to dismiss dangerous Sehwag for 35 runs off 17 balls (5 fours and only six).

Then Tendulkar and Mohammad Kaif put the 53 runs partnership for the second wicket. Kaif lost his wicket to Ryan Austin in the 12th over after scoring 27 runs off 21 balls (2 fours and 2 sixes).

Later, Tendulkar completed his half-century and scored 65 runs off 42 balls with the help of 6 fours and 3 sixes. Tino Best got that wicket in the 15th over.

Then Yusuf Pathan and Yuvraj Singh batted aggressively in the death overs as they set up the 78 runs partnership for the unbroken fourth wicket. While Yusuf scored 37 not out off 20 balls (2 fours and 3 sixes), Yuvraj scored 49 not out off 20 balls (only four and 6 sixes).

Pacer Tino Best was the best bowler in that innings as he had bowling figures of 4-0-25-2.

Brief Scores: India Legends – 218/3 in 20 overs (Sachin Tendulkar 65, Yuvraj Singh 49*; Tino Best 2/25)

West Indies Legends – 206/6 in 20 overs (Dwayne Smith 63, Narsingh Deonarine 59; Vinay Kumar 2/26)

Result – India Legends won by 12 runs