If you're a fan of cricket, you know some matches stick with you. They're the ones full of drama, spectacular performances, and a finish that leaves you breathless. The World Championship of Legends 2025 clash between the India Champions and Australia Champions on July 26th was exactly that kind of game—an absolute rollercoaster from start to finish that had fans on the edge of their seats.
Key Highlights
- ✓ Shikhar Dhawan turned back the clock with a spectacular unbeaten 91 runs off just 60 balls.
- ✓ Yusuf Pathan provided the fireworks with a blistering 52 not out from only 23 deliveries.
- ✓ India Champions posted a massive total of 203/4, thanks to a 100-run partnership between Dhawan and Pathan.
- ✓ Australia Champions chased the target in a nail-biting finish, winning by 4 wickets with just one ball to spare.
- ✓ Callum Ferguson was the hero for the Aussies, scoring a match-winning 70 not out.
Dhawan and Yusuf Turn Back Time
The scene was set at Headingley. The Aussie skipper, Brett Lee, won the toss and didn't hesitate to put India in to bat first. What followed was a masterclass from one of India's most beloved openers, Shikhar "Gabbar" Dhawan. It seriously felt like he hadn't missed a beat since his retirement last year. He was playing with such freedom and class that you'd be forgiven for thinking you were watching a replay from his peak years.
Dhawan was the anchor and the aggressor all in one. He crafted a magnificent, unbeaten innings of 91 runs from just 60 balls. His knock was pure elegance, decorated with 12 crisp boundaries and a lone six. He came agonizingly close to a century but remained the team's top scorer, setting a formidable foundation for the India Champions.
He got some solid support early on from Robin Uthappa, who blazed his way to 37 off 21 balls, smashing three fours and three sixes to get India off to a flying 57-run start. However, a mini-collapse in the middle order threatened to derail the innings. Daniel Christian struck twice in one over, dismissing Uthappa and Ambati Rayudu for a duck. The legends Suresh Raina (11) and captain Yuvraj Singh (3) also fell cheaply, leaving India in a bit of a pickle.
The Pathan Power-Up
Just when it seemed like Australia might be able to restrict the total, in walked Yusuf Pathan. And what an entrance it was. He completely changed the complexion of the game with his trademark power-hitting. Yusuf went on an absolute tear, smashing an unbeaten 52 from a mere 23 balls. His innings was pure carnage, featuring three fours and four massive sixes that sailed into the stands.
Together, Dhawan and Yusuf stitched together an incredible, unbroken 100-run partnership for the fifth wicket. It was a breathtaking display of experience and raw power that propelled the India Champions to a huge total of 203 for 4 in their 20 overs. At the halfway mark, it felt like a match-winning score.
The Aussie Chase: A Tale of Gritty Partnerships
With a target of 204, the Australia Champions knew they had to come out swinging. And they did exactly that. Chris Lynn gave them a flying start, smashing 25 runs off just 10 balls with three sixes and a four. But the Indian spinners, led by the wily Piyush Chawla and Harbhajan Singh, started to pull things back. Chawla was the pick of the bowlers, finishing with three crucial wickets, while Bhajji chipped in with two.
Despite losing wickets, including Shaun Marsh (11) and D'Arcy Short (20), the Aussies never lost hope. The chase was masterfully anchored by a game-changing partnership between Daniel Christian and Callum Ferguson. The two veterans put on a vital 90-run stand for the fifth wicket, methodically chipping away at the target and keeping their team in the hunt. Christian played a crucial hand with 39 off 28 balls before he was dismissed.
Heartbreak in the Final Over
This is where the match went from exciting to unforgettable. With two overs to go, Australia needed 26 runs to win. It was tense. Vinay Kumar bowled the 19th over and conceded 13 runs, with Rob Quiney playing a smart hand. That brought the equation down to 13 runs needed from the final six balls. The ball was tossed to Irfan Pathan. The hopes of all Indian fans rested on his shoulders.
What happened next was pure, unadulterated T20 drama. Irfan started with a wide. The next ball was a leg-bye for a single. The second legal delivery, Quiney smashed it for a six, putting immense pressure back on the bowler. To make matters worse, Irfan then bowled a no-ball. A single off the free hit brought the hero of the day, Callum Ferguson, on strike. After a dot ball, Ferguson sealed the deal in the most dramatic way possible—by hitting a massive six on the fifth ball of the over.
Just like that, with one ball to spare, Australia had pulled off a sensational victory. It was a gut-wrenching moment for the India Champions and their fans. The incredible hard work of Dhawan and Yusuf was, as the headlines said, "ruined" in those final moments. Ferguson remained unbeaten on a brilliant 70, truly earning his Player of the Match honors.
Conclusion
In the end, this was a match that had everything. We saw vintage batting from Dhawan, explosive finishing from Yusuf, a determined chase led by Ferguson, and a last-over finish that will be talked about for a long time. For the India Champions, it's a tough pill to swallow, leaving them still searching for their first win in the tournament after three games. But for cricket fans, it was a spectacular showcase of why we love this sport—its sheer unpredictability and the ability of these legends to still produce magic on the field.
💬 We'd love to hear your thoughts! Join the charcha—keep it friendly, fun, and respectful.