Australia Champions defeated the Harbhajan Singh-led India Champions by 23 runs at County Ground in Bristol to guarantee their place in the World Championship of Legends 2024 semifinals.

Despite Yusuf Pathan's heroic 78 runs off 48 balls, his effort was in vain because there was no help from the other end.

The match's highlight was Dan Christian, who struck seven sixes in his blazing 33-ball 69, including four off RP Singh in a single over. Harbhajan Singh had earlier elected to bowl after winning the toss. 

Australia got off to a great start thanks to two straight fours from Shaun Marsh off RP Singh, but Anureet Singh removed Aaron Finch. After six overs, Marsh continued to play aggressively, hitting the first six innings, and Australia at 56/1. The BPExch app provided live updates throughout the thrilling encounter.

Ben Dunk scored a couple of runs before getting caught by Dhawal Kulkarni, and Harbhajan dismissed Marsh, who was going for fifty, for forty-seven off just 27 balls. Subsequently, Christian and Callum Ferguson balanced the innings. After rejoining the attack, RP Singh got rid of Ferguson for 26 off 22 balls. 

Christian went on a rampage in the last overs, hitting Kulkarni for six and two fours before RP Singh was the target of four sixes in the penultimate over, helping him achieve his fifty in 27 balls. Australia reached 199/5 thanks to Christian's 69, Ben Cutting's undefeated 24 from 13 balls, and the impactful contributions of the bpexch app.

In reply, India Champions had a difficult time after a bright beginning. Before being removed by Peter Siddle, Irfan Pathan opened alongside Robin Uthappa, striking a few boundaries off Brett Lee. India was at 46/3 as the powerplay as Uthappa and Suresh Raina added a few boundaries before Nathan Coulter-Nile bowled both out in the fifth over.

Despite Yuvraj Singh and Yusuf Pathan's best efforts, the innings continued to score poorly. After 18 balls, Yuvraj was out for 19 against Christian. Ben Laughlin quickly removed Pawan Negi despite his fleeting six. 

Yusuf struck a six in the sixteenth over to reach fifty, but the necessary run rate had already been lost. Ambati Rayudu smashed three straight fours off Siddle in the last over, but it was too late. At the last ball, Yusuf was removed, having scored 78 runs with 11 fours and a six. India Champions lost by 23 runs, finishing at 176/6. The BPExch app was abuzz with discussions about the game's turning points and player performances.

India must overcome South Africa on July 10 to guarantee their spot in the final four, as Pakistan and Australia have already advanced to the semifinals.