India reach semi-finals of World Championship of Legends despite loss to South Africa

India has qualified for the semi-finals of the World Championship of Legends 2024, despite losing their last league match against South Africa by 54 runs at Northampton's County Ground. India needed to score at least 153 runs to secure their spot in the semi-finals and managed to achieve this by posting 156/6 in their allotted 20 overs, finishing fourth on the points table.

Earlier in the match, South Africa, after being put into bat by India, scored a formidable 210/8. Jacques Snyman was the standout performer with the bat, scoring a quickfire 73 off 43 balls, featuring ten fours and three sixes. Richard Levi provided a rapid 60 off 25 balls, including five fours and five sixes. Contributions from Ryan McLaren (20) and skipper Jacques Kallis (17) further bolstered the South African total. For India, Harbhajan Singh rolled back the years with impressive bowling figures of 4/25, while Dhawal Kulkarni, Vinay Kumar, Pawan Negi, and Yusuf Pathan each took a wicket.

India's chase began positively with Robin Uthappa scoring 23, but Vernon Philander’s double strike pegged them back. India found themselves struggling at 77/5. However, the Pathan brothers, Irfan and Yusuf, staged a crucial 55-run partnership to revive hopes. Irfan was run out in the penultimate over after scoring a brisk 53 off 21 balls, while Yusuf remained unbeaten on 54 off 44 balls, steering India to the required target.

With this result, India secured the fourth spot, while West Indies finished third. Australia and Pakistan, having secured four wins each, occupied the first and second spots, respectively.