Ravi Bopara (unbeaten 110) and Ian Bell (54) played explosive innings, helping England Champions defeat India Champions by 23 runs in the 13th match of WCL 2025.
Sports News: India Champions' disappointing performance continues in the World Champions League (WCL) 2025. In the 13th match of the tournament, England Champions, powered by Ravi Bopara's magnificent century, defeated India by 23 runs, marking India Champions' third consecutive loss. Having lost all three matches played so far, the Indian team has fallen to the bottom of the WCL 2025 points table, while England Champions recorded their first win of the tournament and moved to fourth place.
Bopara's Bat Blazes, England Posts a Huge Score
In the match played at Leeds, England Champions won the toss and decided to bat first, scoring 223 runs for the loss of 3 wickets in the stipulated 20 overs. England had a shaky start when Varun Aaron bowled Phil Mustard (1) to send him back to the pavilion. However, Ravi Bopara (110 not out) and Ian Bell (54) then proceeded to dominate the Indian bowlers.
Bopara and Bell forged a 131-run partnership for the second wicket. Ian Bell scored 54 runs off 39 balls with the help of 6 fours and 2 sixes. He was caught out by Yuvraj Singh off Harbhajan Singh's bowling. After that, Bopara found support in Moeen Ali (33 runs, 13 balls), who added runs quickly with 1 four and 4 sixes.
In the end, Samit Patel finished the innings by scoring 20 runs off 9 balls. Ravi Bopara's century was the biggest highlight of the match. He scored an unbeaten 110 off 55 balls, smashing 8 fours and 8 sixes. For India, Harbhajan Singh took 2 wickets and Varun Aaron took 1.
India Champions' Struggle – Yuvi and Yusuf Showed Resilience
Chasing a huge target of 224 runs, India Champions had a very poor start. Experienced batsman Robin Uthappa was dismissed for a duck. Bopara took an easy catch off Ryan Sidebottom's ball. After that, Shikhar Dhawan (17) also did not last long and was bowled by Ajmal Shahzad.
Then Ambati Rayudu (38) and captain Yuvraj Singh (38) somewhat steadied the innings. Both formed an important partnership for the third wicket, but Rayudu was caught by Bopara off Meekers bowling. Yuvraj Singh then added 43 runs with Stuart Binny (35). But just as the team was gaining momentum, Bopara struck another blow to India by having Binny caught by Patel. Soon after, Yuvraj was also caught by Ali off Meeker's ball.
Yusuf Pathan's Lone Battle, But Remained Far From Victory
Yusuf Pathan fought till the end, scoring 52 runs off just 29 balls with the help of 6 fours and 2 sixes. But he did not get support from the other end. Irfan Pathan (10) and Vinay Kumar (0) were dismissed quickly. The remaining batsmen also failed to withstand the England bowlers. The India Champions team could only score 200 runs for the loss of 8 wickets in the stipulated 20 overs and lost the match by 23 runs.
Ajmal Shahzad took the maximum of 4 wickets and rattled the Indian top order. Stuart Meeker took 2 wickets. Ravi Bopara and Ryan Sidebottom also took 1 wicket each. With this defeat, India Champions are at the bottom of the WCL 2025 without a win.
