England Champions Outclass India Champions by 23 Runs at Headingley

The match where England Champions faced India Champions in the 13th match of the World Championship of Legends 2025 at Headingley, Leeds, on July 27, 2025, was a thrilling T20 showdown. England Champions posted a massive 223/3, powered by Ravi Bopara’s unbeaten century, and then restricted India Champions to 200/8, securing a 23-run victory. The game was a display of aggressive batting and disciplined bowling, with standout performances lighting up the contest.

A Run-Fest Led by Bopara

England Champions put on a batting masterclass, racking up 223/3 in their 20 overs after India Champions chose to bowl first. The Headingley pitch was a batter’s paradise, and England made it count with aggressive strokeplay and smart partnerships, setting a target that would test India’s star-studded lineup. The innings got off to a rocky start when opener Phil Mustard was bowled for a duck by Varun Aaron in just the second over. It was a wake-up call, but Ian Bell and Ravi Bopara quickly took control. Bell played the anchor role, scoring a steady 54 off 39 balls with six fours and one six. His calm approach kept the scoreboard moving while Bopara went on the attack.

Ravi Bopara lights up the field with a sensational century off just 50 balls!

[Cricket, CricTracker, India Champions, England, Champions, WCL 2025, Ravi Bopara] pic.twitter.com/dPOYjM6T7G

— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) July 27, 2025

Bopara was in a league of his own, smashing an unbeaten 110 off 55 balls. His knock was packed with five fours and eight sixes, showing off his power and timing. Together, they put on 131 runs for the second wicket, taking England to 134/2 by the 14th over when Bell was caught by Yuvraj Singh off Harbhajan Singh’s bowling. Moeen Ali came in and lit up the ground, blasting 33 off 13 balls with one four and three sixes. His strike rate of 253.85 kept the bowlers under pressure, and he helped push England past 190 before getting caught by Ambati Rayudu off Harbhajan in the 18th over.

Samit Patel joined Bopara to close out the innings, finishing unbeaten on 20 off 9 balls with two fours and a six. Their late surge ensured England ended on a high, with 5 extras (1 leg bye, 3 wides, 1 no-ball) adding to the total. The powerplay (overs 1-6) brought 64 runs for one wicket, setting a strong foundation. England’s run rate of 11.15 per over showed how relentless they were. India’s bowlers had a tough day. Varun Aaron struck early with Mustard’s wicket but leaked 34 runs in 3 overs. Vinay Kumar was hammered for 54 runs in 4 overs without a wicket, and Pawan Negi was even more expensive, giving away 62 runs in 4 overs, also wicketless.

Harbhajan Singh was the standout, taking 2 wickets for 18 runs in 3 overs, getting Bell and Moeen. Piyush Chawla kept things tight, conceding 25 runs in 4 overs but taking no wickets. Irfan Pathan and Stuart Binny struggled, leaking 8 and 21 runs in their single overs. India’s bowlers couldn’t find their rhythm, especially in the middle and death overs, letting England pile on the runs.

Ravi Bopara's unbeaten knock of 110 off 55 balls helps England Champions post 223 in 20 overs. Can India Champions chase it?

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— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) July 27, 2025

Bopara’s ability to pick gaps and clear the ropes, combined with Moeen’s explosive cameo, made the difference. England’s innings was all about balance. Bell’s steady hand gave them a platform, while Bopara’s century and Moeen’s quickfire knock added the fireworks. With players like Eoin Morgan and Tim Ambrose not even needed, England showed their batting depth. The total of 223/3 was massive, and it put India under huge pressure to chase it down. On a pitch that favoured batters, England knew they had a score that could win the game if their bowlers stepped up.

India Champions’ Innings Falls Short

Chasing 224 was always going to be a tall order for India Champions, and despite some big hits from Yusuf Pathan and Yuvraj Singh, they finished at 200/8, falling 23 runs short. England’s bowlers kept things tight and took wickets at key moments, ensuring India couldn’t keep up with the required run rate. India’s chase started with a jolt when Robin Uthappa was out for a duck, caught by Ravi Bopara off Ryan Sidebottom’s second ball. Shikhar Dhawan tried to rebuild, scoring 17 off 16 balls with a four, but he was bowled by Ajmal Shahzad in the sixth over.

Yusuf Pathan goes full beast mode against Brett Lee ! pic.twitter.com/6wOTPp47o3

— World Championship Of Legends (@WclLeague) July 27, 2025

Ambati Rayudu played a positive 28 off 21 balls, hitting three fours, but was caught by Bopara off Stuart Meaker in the ninth over, leaving India at 66/3. Stuart Binny brought some fireworks, smashing 35 off 13 balls with three fours and three sixes at a strike rate of 269.23. His aggressive knock gave India hope, but he was caught by Samit Patel off Bopara in the 12th over. Yuvraj Singh, the captain, played a fighting 38 off 27 balls with two fours and a six, trying to keep the chase alive. He fell in the 16th over, caught by Moeen Ali off Meaker, with India at 156/5. Yusuf Pathan was the star, blasting 52 off 29 balls with six fours and two sixes.

His powerful hitting kept India in the game, but he was caught and bowled by Shahzad in the 20th over, ending their chances. Irfan Pathan scored 10 off 8 balls before being caught by Bopara off Shahzad, and Vinay Kumar was out for a duck in the final over. Pawan Negi remained not out on 4 off 3 balls, but it wasn’t enough. India’s 200/8 included 16 extras (6 leg byes, 10 wides), but they couldn’t close the gap. The powerplay yielded just 35 runs for one wicket, putting them behind early. England’s bowlers were disciplined. Ajmal Shahzad was the pick, taking 4 wickets for 31 runs in 4 overs, dismissing Dhawan, Pathan, Irfan, and Kumar.

Stuart Meaker grabbed 2 wickets for 55 runs, getting Rayudu and Yuvraj. Ravi Bopara took one wicket for 43 runs, removing Binny, while Ryan Sidebottom struck early for one wicket and 20 runs. Moeen Ali was expensive, conceding 45 runs in 4 overs without a wicket. England’s bowlers kept the pressure on, especially in the middle overs, and their ability to break partnerships stopped India from building momentum.

India suffer their third loss, making the qualification scenario even more difficult for them.#WCL2025 #INDCvsENGC #YusufPathan #CricTracker pic.twitter.com/tcprYDUQXR

— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) July 27, 2025

Yusuf’s knock was a highlight, but early wickets and Shahzad’s late strikes sealed India’s fate. India’s chase was full of fight, especially from Yusuf and Binny, but losing wickets early and struggling to keep up with the run rate hurt them. England’s bowlers were just too good, making sure India couldn’t pull off the massive chase needed to win.

TCNI’s Magic Moment of the Game

Moeen Ali’s explosive 33 off 13 balls was TCNI’s Magic Moment of the Game. Walking in at 134/2 in the 14th over, Moeen took the attack to India’s bowlers, smashing one four and three sixes at a strike rate of 253.85. His quickfire knock, especially against Harbhajan Singh in the 17th over, pushed England past 190 and set a daunting target. Moeen’s ability to clear the boundary with ease kept the momentum firmly with England, making the chase tougher for India.

He was caught by Ambati Rayudu in the 18th over, but his cameo had already done the damage. On a batter-friendly Headingley pitch, Moeen’s aggressive hitting was a game-changer, giving England the extra runs they needed for a 23-run victory. His short but impactful innings were the moment that lit up the match.

TCNI’s Hero of the Day

Ravi Bopara was TCNI’s Hero of the Day for his unbeaten 110 off 55 balls, the cornerstone of England’s 23-run win. Coming in after an early wicket, Bopara smashed five fours and eight sixes, scoring at a strike rate of 200. His century anchored England’s innings, with a 131-run stand with Ian Bell and quick runs alongside Moeen Ali and Samit Patel.

Ravi Bopara lights up the chase!
110 runs* off just 55 balls
vs India Champions | 13th Match, WCL 2025

A sensational knock under pressure – pure class, power, and composure!
One of the finest in WCL history! https://t.co/7Wm3X0SNBU#AsiaCup2025 #Jadeja #Race #SunilGavaskar… pic.twitter.com/wrILZYni6Y

— SPORTS WIZ (@mysportswiz) July 27, 2025

Bopara’s mix of power and placement overwhelmed India’s bowlers, helping England reach 223/3. He also chipped in with the ball, dismissing Stuart Binny. His ability to dominate from start to finish and stay not out made him the match-winner. Bopara’s all-round brilliance and match-defining century earned him the spotlight as the hero of the 13th match.