Match Center

Right. This was projected to be a cracking game and we got one. Wednesday, 10th March, 2021, sees a contest of lesser stature, with Bangladesh Legends taking on Sri Lanka Legends. Hard to see the type of show put on by England and India getting replicated but if Bangladesh perform well, then at least, it may not be totally one-sided. Join us at 7 pm local (1330 GMT) for all the action. ADIOS! TAKE CARE!

Victorious England Legends captain, Kevin Pietersen, has been named as the PLAYER OF THE MATCH. Pietersen says that it is always nice to bat in India. Praises the wickets, calling them spectacular. Details that the seamers are able to get the ball through and generate extra bounce. Is happy for the crowd who got entertainment. Smiles and adds that when one of his teammates asked him, whether is it this way during the Indian T20 League, he replied that it was three times the roar. Cheekily says that when Irfan Pathan was slogging the ball around in the death overs, Chris Tremlett and Ryan Sidebottom did not want to bowl but he forced them to. On possible toss decisions for the future, KP says that the wicket is excellent and need not necessarily be a field-first thing. Praises the groundsman again.

India Legends skipper, Sachin Tendulkar, says that it was a superb game, with incredible hitting towards the end. But admits that the first 6 overs were crucial for India Legends and that is where the game was lost. On Irfan Pathan, Tendulkar remembers Irfan's knock last year against Sri Lanka and feels revelled to see that kind of a knock again in this game. Lauds Kevin Pietersen's knock and understands that it took the game away from India. On planning against Pietersen, Sachin says that in this format, you can plan as much as you want but sometimes, things don't work. On India's spectacular comeback, the skipper says that Virender Sehwag has been playing well in this tournament and the team needed another one from him in this game. But is happy to see the team bat so deep.

Earlier in the evening, a KP special sent the India Legends bowlers to the cleaners. He batted till the 14th over, scoring a blistering 75 from 37 balls, which meant that even though England Legends lost their way at the death, they reached a commanding 188, which in the end, proved just to be enough. Yusuf Pathan surprised all at the death, taking 3 wickets. Please stay tuned for the presentation...

Escape from jail for England Legends? By all means. One more bad ball and it was game over. The fact that they had full control of the game, yet almost were pushed away from the doors of victory would worry them. Bowling with the wet ball is tough and England found that. All the bowlers who bowled at the death suffered, with 71 runs being scored in the last 5 overs. But early on, it was the spell of Monty Panesar, who pushed India into peril. Panesar took 3 wickets for 15 runs, while James Tredwell and Chris Tremlett supported him well, until their last few overs.

England started to smile when Naman Ojha got out. 70 needed from 26 balls. Too difficult, even for Irfan Pathan, surely? No sir. Enter Manpreet Gony. He played a wildfire knock, clobbering a 16-ball unbeaten 35, which included 4 massive sixes and a solitary boundary. He and Irfan smashed 63 runs in just 26 balls, falling short by just 6 runs! Tremendous entertainment. Heartbreak for Irfan Pathan and the Indian crowd, but it is a loss which need not be treated with shame. Terrific fightback.

First loss for India Legends in the tournament. Also, the first instance of a side batting first winning the game. Chasing down 189 needed a good opening stand and the likes of Yuvraj Singh to bat deep. Neither of that happened. In fact, India were tottering at 56/5, with the game looking hopelessly lost. They needed 133 from 70 balls at that stage but in stepped Irfan Pathan. He kept the Indian supporters believing, playing a blinder of a knock. He staged useful stands with brother Yusuf and then Naman Ojha. And that got Kevin Pietersen worried.

Phew. What a humdinger. Sanjay Manjrekar had predicted that this would be the best match of the tournament. Still some way to go in this edition but it is going to take a lot out of everyone to match this effort. What a game, dear legends. Thank you for all the entertainment.

'YEAH!!!!!' screams Ryan Sidebottom. He has managed to defend 18 runs in the final over. A length ball, around off, Gony looks to swing but gets it off the inner half of the bat through mid-wicket. Just a single. England Legends WIN BY 6 RUNS!

Well, if Ryan Sidebottom bowls a legal ball, England Legends will win this.

Dot ball! A length ball, outside off, Manpreet Gony swings hard but misses. The most crucial delivery of the game! 8 needed on the final ball now.

Kevin Pietersen slowing the game down now. Talks to his bowler and makes some fielding changes.

Full, around middle, swung down to long on for a single. 8 needed from 2 balls now.

SIX! CREAMED! 9 needed in 3 balls now. A full toss, around middle, Irfan clobbers it over mid-wicket! Moves to 60 from 33 balls. The stand is worth 61 from 23 deliveries.

High full toss, around middle, Irfan Pathan swings to pull but mistimes it high in the air. Clears short fine leg. Two runs taken. Irfan looks for the waist-high no ball but the square leg umpire is firm. Replays show that it was not above the waist.

Full, around middle, swung through square leg. Excellent fielding by Darren Maddy. Keeps the batsmen to a couple. 17 needed from 5 balls.

Who bowls the final over? 19 to win. 18 for a Super over. It is Ryan Sidebottom. 3-0-20-1 so far.