ICC Champions Trophy 2017: Yuvraj Singh breaks unique record for India

India captain Virat Kohli and left-handed batsman Yuvraj Singh made blistering half-centuries to help India begin their Champions Trophy title-defence on a dominant note by thumping Pakistan by 124 runs (Duckworth/Lewis method) at Edgbaston in Birmingham on Sunday.

Powered by outstanding batting from Rohit Sharma, 91, Shikhar Dhawan 68, Kohli unbeaten 81 and Pandya’s quick 20 off just 6 balls, the defending champion amassed mammoth total 319 runs in rain shortened match. They added 136 runs till the 25th over before Dhawan got out off a Shadab Khan full-toss. This break further revised the target to 289 in 41 overs for Pakistan. In the end, Pakistan conceded a 124-run defeat after getting all out for 164 runs in 33.4 overs. Pakistan’s batsman Azhar Ali (50) and Mohammad Hafeez (33) battled slightly.

The nation erupted in joy and firecrackers were burst in the nook and corner of every street when India beat their arch rival Pakistan in the high-octane Champions Trophy match. And when it is India vs Pakistan, people across the country unite to pray for India’s win against Pakistan. A miserable match for Wahab, flayed by India’s batsmen for a hugely expensive 87 runs in 8.4 overs, ended when he fell in his delivery stride and sustained an injury that saw him leave the field.

It didn’t take long for them to get a second wicket either as Babar fell for eight off the bowling of Umesh Yadav to leave the Green Shirts with alot of work to do.

Pak skipper Sarfaraz, before the game had said that Pakistan are ranked number 8 in the team rankings and have nothing to lose.

Such was Yuvraj’s class and flamboyance that none of the Pakistani bowlers managed to curb his attacking mode as he studded his knock with eight boundaries and a enormous six.

Shoaib Malik lofted Jadeja six before he was Jadeja ran him out with a direct hit to leave Pakistan all but beaten at 114 for four in the 24th over.

Yuvraj Singh’s “game-changing” innings is the reason India was able to numb Pakistan with a “clinical” performance. 3 mighty sixes and Kohli’s checked drive for a four took India to 319/3 at the end of the 48th over.

The stylish southpaw hit eight crisp boundaries and a six in his entertaining knock, while Kohli made up for a sluggish start with a late flourish, ending with six fours and three sixes.

While he was pleased with the win, Kohli was not impressed with India’s fielding. He was well supported by Ravindra Jadeja and Pandya, who picked up two wickets each.