India's 3 best performers in 2024 WCL ft. Yusuf Pathan
India Champions beat Pakistan Champions by five wickets in the final of World Championship of Legends 2024 at Edgbaston in Birmingham on Saturday, July 13. Batting first after winning the toss, Pakistan put up 156-6 on the board, a total India chased down in 19.1 overs.
Anureet Singh starred with the ball for India Champions, claiming three wickets although he went for 43 runs. Vinay Kumar, Pawan Negi and Irfan Pathan claimed one scalp each. In the chase, Ambati Rayudu slammed 50 off 30 balls, opening the innings. Yusuf Pathan slammed 30 off 16, while Gurkeerat Singh Mann contributed 34 off 33. Skipper Yuvraj Singh was unbeaten on 15 off 22 balls.
In the wake of India Champions clinching the World Championship of Legends 2024 title, we pick the team's three best performers in the T20 tournament.
#1 Yusuf Pathan
Yusuf had a highly memorable World Championship of Legends 2024, slamming 221 runs in seven innings at an average of 55.25 and a strike rate of 157.86. He was India Champions' second-leading run-getter in the event.
The hard-hitting batter began the tournament slowly, registering scores of 5*, 3 and 0. In the second half of the T20 league, though, he was at his destructive best. Yusuf clobbered 78 off 48 balls, whacking 11 fours and a six in a losing cause against Australia.
The 41-year-old contributed 54* off 44 and claimed one wicket in another losing effort against South Africa. The batting all-rounder played another brilliant knock in the semifinal against Australia, smashing 51* off only 23 balls, a knock that included four fours and as many sixes. Yusuf and brother Irfan (50 off 19) added 95 at a scintillating pace.
While Rayudu top-scored in the final of the World Championship of Legends 2024, Yusuf made another crucial contribution with the willow. He hit 30 off 16 balls, a fine cameo in which he clubbed one four and three sixes as India got home in 19.1 overs to win the tournament.
#2 Robin Uthappa
Robin Uthappa was India Champions' leading run-getter in the World Championship of Legends 2024. In seven innings, he smashed 225 runs at an average of 32.14 and an excellent strike rate of 181.45. The right-handed batter struck 24 fours and 11 sixes in the tournament.
Uthappa began World Championship of Legends 2024 by cracking 50 off 32 in the three-wicket triumph over England Champions. He followed it up by clobbering 43 off 18 in the match against West Indies, a blazing knock that featured five fours and three sixes.
After a few low scores, the 38-year-old smacked 65 off 35 balls in the semifinal against Australia in Northampton as India won the knockout clash by 86 runs. Uthappa was dismissed for 10 in the final, but had played a key role in India making it to the summit clash.
#3 Harbhajan Singh
Off-spinner Harbhajan Singh was India Champions' joint-leading wicket-taker in the World Championship of Legends 2024. He picked up eight wickets in seven matches at an average of 15 and an impressive economy rate of 6.67.
The 44-year-old began the tournament with impressive figures of 2-16 in three overs against England. After a couple of wicketless matches, he picked up 1-16 against Australia, getting the big wicket of Shaun Marsh (41 off 27).
The Turbanator's standout effort in the T20 tournament came against South Africa. He picked up 4-25 from his four overs, dismissing Ryan McLaren (20), Richard Levi (60), Rory Kleinveldt (0), and Dane Vilas (7). Despite Harbhajan's brilliant spell, the Proteas side ended up posting 210-8 on the board as Jacques Snyman slammed 73 off 43. India were held to 156-6 in response.
In the semifinal against Australia, which India won by 86 runs, Harbhajan had figures of 1-16 from three overs. He dismissed the dangerous Dan Christian for 18 off 11 balls. Harbhajan bowled only one over in the final, ending with figures of 0-8.