Road Safety World Series began in 2020 with an aim to provide awareness over safe driving and careful vehicle handling. The first season which began in 2020 had to be stopped after the onset of the Coronavirus which had the entire world in a lockdown. The series re-stared in 2021 with India beating Sri Lanka in the final to win the title in its inaugural year.
The story as it happened –
India were facing Australia in the semi finals of the 2022 Road Safety World Series. The match was played at the Barabati Stadium at Cuttack. The game which was played on Sunday had to be carried over onto the next day due to rain interruption. India were set a target of 172 by the Australian team led by Shane Watson.
Irfan Pathan flexes his muscles to win the game for India –
Former India all rounder, Irfan Pathan came into bat at number 7 with India needing 47 from 26 balls. He had replaced his brother Yusuf who had scored just 1. Once Irfan came into bat, the entire complexion of the game changed. Pathan took special liking to left arm speedster Dirk Nannes and smacked him for 3 back to back sixes. Pathan stayed not out on 37 off 12 balls with 2 fours and 4 sixes.
This guy never disappoints us when he’s on strike
— Colors Cineplex (@Colors_Cineplex) September 29, 2022
Well played @irfanpathan_official 🏏🤩
Keep watching #RoadSafetyWorldSeries, live now only on #ColorsCineplex, @justvoot, @CCSuperhits and @Sports18.#IndiaLegends #AustraliaLegends #RSWS2022 pic.twitter.com/DSFq37KU36
Cameron White helps Australia reach 171 –
At the end of play on Sunday, Australia were 136 for 5 with White and Haddin at the crease. Once the play began on Monday, White went after the Indian bowling and scored 30 off 18 balls with a four and 2 sixes. Haddin too scored 8 ball 12 with one six to his name. This helped the Australians reach 171 on the board.
Australia have Indians on the mat –
Chasing 172 to win, India opened with Naman Ojha and Sachin Tendulkar. The 49 year old Tendulkar scored 10 before he was bowled by Nathan Reardon. Jason Krejza had Raina caught by Ferguson for 11. Yuvraj Singh scored 18 with 2 fours before being bowled by skipper Watson. Leg Spinner Bryce McGain got the wicket of Binny for 2, While Yusuf Pathan nicked behind to Haddin off Watson to leave India at 125 for 5.
Naman Ojha carries his bat –
Former MP and India wicket keeper, Naman Ojha was the start of the show. Opening the innings the 38 year old scored 90 not out off 62 balls with 7 fours and 5 massive sixes. He was keeping the scoreboard ticking when the wickets were falling. While Tendulkar was circumspect, it was Ojha who gave the Indian legends the early impetus with frequent boundaries.