India defeat England by 36 runs to win the Physical Disability Home Series 2019

While the world awaited the 2nd Ashes test and India’s final ODI game of the series against West Indies, another team from India, gave the nation something bigger to cheer about. Indian physical disability team won the World Cricket Series 2019 in Worcester, England, beating the host by 36 runs.

Riding on a quickfire 53 off 34 balls from Ravindra Sante, India posted 180/7 after opting to bat first. India PD lost the first wicket in the very first over but Kunal Phanase (36) and captain Vikrant Keni (29) pulled India out of trouble before Sante showed his ability. Suganesh Mahendaran played a cameo of 33 runs from 11 balls to ensure India got to 180. England’s Liam O’Brien picked 2 wickets while Callum Flynn took 1 wicket.

England collapse

Chasing 181, England PD got off to a solid start, scoring 90 for the loss of just 1 wicket in 10.2 overs but the Indian bowlers struck back. Sunny Goyat removed both the set batsmen- Angus Brown (44) and Callum Flynn (28) – in successive overs before Liam O’Brien was run out. Kunal Phanase picked up 2 wickets in the same over as England crumbled to 105-6.

It was mere formality after that and Anish Rajan picked up a wicket and effected 2 run-outs to ensure there was no surprise in the box. However, England managed to play out the full quota of 20 overs, scoring just 144 for 9 wickets, courtesy Will Flynn’s 21 runs.

India topped round-robin stage

Earlier, India had beaten Pakistan by 8 wickets in the concluding round-robin league match to top the group. India PD restricted Pakistan to 150/7 in 20 overs, with captain Vikrant Keni taking two wickets for 15 and also accounting for three run-outs. In reply, India openers K. Phanase (55 not out) and W. Khan (69 runs) added 125 runs in 12.5 overs to set the platform.

The tournament, organised by the England & Wales Cricket Board, also saw teams from Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Zimbabwe. England had reached the title clash by defeating Afghanistan in the semi-final of the tournament.

Indian players celebrate after winning the Physical Disability World Cricket Series 2019 in England. pic.twitter.com/szVQJLqtNk

— Times Now Sports (@timesnowsports) August 13, 2019

~Written by Mohit Raj