On a break from commentary duties, Gautam Gambhir picked up the bat and reminded fans of his Cricket World Cup-winning knock in 2011 with a blazing half-century in Legends League Cricket (LLC 2023). It was the perfect time for the former India opener who was the unsung hero of 2011 WC final. He played a crucial innings of 97 before MS Dhoni applied the finishing touch. It might have been 12 years since India play another Cricket World Cup final, but fans rejoiced as he hit 35-ball 63 for India Capitals against Bhilwara Kings.
The legend of Gautam Gambhir
Speaking about the match, India Capitals were invited to have a bat first. Capitals opener, Hashim Amla was dismissed early by Anureet Singh but Gambhir and Kirk Edwards took charge and played handsomely during their partnership in the Legends League Cricket opener. Gautam Gambhir smashed all the bowlers on and he scored 63 of 35 with 8 boundaries and a couple of maximums.
The left-handed batter got out by Rahul Sharma missing out on a deserving century. On the other hand, Kirk Edwards got the big hits going and scored 59 with a strike rate of 190.32 hitting 5 fours and 4 sixes. They together posted 107 run partnership of 59 balls.
After the duo was dismissed, Ben Dunk and Ashley Nurse continued to hit the boundaries in the LLC 2023 opener. In the penultimate over, Bhilwara Kings came back taking two wickets but senior pro’s Juan Theron and KP Appanna put on a short but sweet 19-run partnership in just 5 deliveries. For the bowling side, Anureet Singh took 4 wickets giving just 29 runs away. Rahul Sharma took a couple of wickets. Jesal Karia and Irfan Pathan took a wicket each in the LLC 2023 opener.
Fans rejoice
With India eying another Cricket World Cup on Sunday, fans could not help but be nostalgic. Back in 2011, India beat Sri Lanka in the final to seal the World Cup title. On Sunday, Rohit Sharma-led India will be up against Australia to end their ICC trophy drought.