‘Are we still living in 1998?’ – A question that might have been asked several times by the cricket fans who watched the India Legends-England Legends match yesterday in the World Road Safety Series. India won by 40 runs in a spirited contest that could not be dampened by intermittent rain. In a match shortened to 15 overs due to rain, India lost the toss and went into bat, scoring 170 runs for the loss of five wickets. England’s reply ended at 130 for the loss of six wickets.
The amazing batting performance of superstar Sachin Tendulkar, who opened the batting for India in the match, took the fans to the glory days of the Little Master. Sachin faced only 20 balls in the entire match and scored a total of 40 runs. Innings containing three sixes and eighties each. Sachin filled the field with shots reminiscent of his glory days and produced a performance that left the fans in awe. Sachin’s six in the match, compared to the player’s six in 1998, is being widely circulated on social media. Excited fans want Sachin Tendulkar in the team for Twenty20 World Cup.
Sachin completed a half-century partnership with Naman Ojha for the opening wicket. Both of them scored 65 runs in 34 balls. Naman Ojha scored 20 runs off 17 balls with two fours and a six. Apart from them, Yuvraj Singh’s performance was also impressive. Yuvi, who faced 15 balls, remained unbeaten on 31 runs with one four and three sixes. Yusuf Pathan scored 27 runs off 11 balls with one four and three sixes.
Suresh Raina (12 with a six and a four each in eight balls), Stuart Binny (18 with two fours and a six in 11 balls) and Irfan Pathan (11 not out with a six in nine balls) are the other players. Stephen Parry conceded 19 runs in three overs and took three wickets for England.
In response, England’s top scorer was wicket-keeper batsman Phil Mustard who scored 29 runs off 19 balls with four fours and a six. Chris Tremlett remained unbeaten on 24 off 16 balls. Tim Ambrose scored 16 runs off 11 balls. Rajesh Pawar conceded 12 runs in three overs and took three wickets for India. Stuart Binny, Pragyan Ojha and Manpreet Goni got a wicket each.
