Road Safety World Series 2021, Semi-final 1: India Legends beat West Indies by 12 runs to enter finals

Raipur, March 17:

In a high-scoring game that kept switching fortunes, courtesy, some superb batting effort from both sides, Indians held on to their nerves superbly and booked their tickets to the finals scheduled on March 21.

It was none other than the inspirational India Legends captain and crowd favourite Tendulkar who led the way with a stylish half-century after Virender Sehwag's entertaining cameo. Yuvraj Singh (49*) once again displayed his six-hitting spree along with Yusuf Pathan (37*) to guide their team to a mammoth 218/3 in the stipulated 20 overs. It was the highest total of the tournament but it seemed in West Indies' reach till the last over as Windies players kept scoring at a decent pace.

Chasing 219 to win, the Windies were restricted to 206 for 6 in 20 overs by India. Needing 24 in 12 balls, Indian seamers R Vinay Kumar and Irfan Pathan bowled their heart out to help their win which was once going the visitors' way.

Vinay Kumar took two wickets of -- captain Brian Lara (46) and Tino Best at a crucial juncture in the 18th over that brought them back into the game.

Earlier, Dwayne Smith (63, 36b, 9x4, 2x6) and Narsingh Deonarine (59 not out, 44, 5x4, 2x6) ) half-centuries went in vain as Windies were knocked out of the tournament.

Earlier put into bat first by West Indies on a batting beauty, the Indian Legends' dominating show with the bat saw them post another 200 plus target in the second successive game.

Riding on Tendulkar's half-century and Yuvraj's entertaining 20-ball 49 not out which had six sixes and a four saw India score 218 for three in 20 overs.

Other than Tendulkar and Yuraj's crucial knocks, Sehwag (35, 17b, 5x4, 1x6), Yusuf Pathan (37, 20b, 2x4, 3x6) and Mohd Kaif (27, 21b, 2x4, 2x6) contributed with the bat, too.

The Indians were off to a rollicking start with Sehwag taking on the attack from ball one by driving left-arm spinner Suleiman Benn through covers. There was no stopping Sehwag who was in an attacking mood from the ball one, while Tendulkar took his time.

Sehwag didn't spare the bowlers when they pitched in his zone. The duo went on to get a half-century partnership for the opening wicket before Sehwag gave a return catch to seamer Tino Best.

Later, Tendulkar continuing from the last game cracked another half-century. He also had a 53-run partnership with Kaif before the latter was dismissed by Ryan Austin.

On course for a century, Tendulkar chipped Best's full delivery which went to Kirk Edwards, who came up with a brilliant effort at deep point. Yuvraj and Yusuf, later, destroyed the Windies attack in the death overs with some big hits.

The stylish south-paw slammed six sixes in the last two overs. The 19th over saw Yuvraj hit leggie Mahendra Nagamootoo for four hits over the rope while the next two came in the last over of Suleiman Benn.

Despite those big hits, Yuvraj was stranded at 49 not out but India were comfortably placed at 218 for 3 in 20 overs.

Brief scores: India Legends 218/3 in 20 overs (Sachin Tendulkar 65, Yuvraj Singh 49*, Yusuf Pathan 37*, Virender Sehwag 35, Mohd Kaif 27; Tino Best 2/25) beat West Indies Legends 206/6 in 20 overs (Dwayne Smith 63, Narsingh Deonarine 59*, Brian Lara 46; R Vinay Kumar 2/26) by 12 runs.