India XI win ICL World Series Championship
India XI won the ICL World Series Championship when they beat World XI by ten runs in the final in Hyderabad. In reply to India XI’s 148 for 8 in their 20 overs, the World XI managed only 138 for 5.
Winning the toss and electing to bat, India XI started slowly in the face of some accurate bowling by Johan van der Wath and Daryl Tuffey. But gradually their innings gained momentum, with G Vignesh and Ibrahim Khaleel putting on 76 for the first wicket. Khaleel departed after a well made 34, and the more aggressive Vignesh fell to spinner Upul Chandana after scoring 57. From 104 for 2 after 13 overs, India XI could manage just 44 runs in the last seven overs to finish on 148 for 8. Andrew Hall and Chandana claimed two wickets apiece.
The World XI reply was dominated by a fine innings of 60 from Damien Martyn. Things were going well for them with 61 for 1 off eight overs, but Syed Mohammed brought India XI back into the game by having Louis Vincent stumped. Mohammad finished with figures of 4-1-10-1. As the asking rate got bigger and bigger, the World XI batsmen caused their own downfall in trying to look for quick runs. Captain Chris Cairns and Martyn were both dismissed by run-outs. Despite the best efforts from the rest, they finished 11 short of championship target.
Vignesh won the Man of the Match prize, while Khaleel was adjudged the Man of the Series.
