West Indies Champions beat England by nine wickets to win Legends title

West Indies Champions won the 2026 World Championship of Legends, beating England Champions by nine wickets in the final at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Sunday, 18 October 2026. England Champions batted first and made 159 for 7 in their 20 overs, with Moeen Ali top-scoring with 60. West Indies Champions then reached 165 for 1 in 17 overs, with three overs to spare, as Lendl Simmons finished unbeaten on 77 and Chadwick Walton unbeaten on 58. Dwayne Bravo, who took 3 for 21 with the ball, was named Player of the Match. India Champions had gone out earlier after losing to the West Indies side in the group stage.

Legends cricket has become a popular part of the calendar, giving fans a chance to see former stars play competitive T20 cricket again. The World Championship of Legends brings together retired players from the major cricket nations, and the final drew strong interest online, including in India, where many of these players are household names.

The final was one-sided. England's 159 was a fair total, built around Moeen Ali's 60, but the West Indies batters made it look small. Simmons and Walton batted through the chase with few alarms, and the target was reached with three overs left. Bravo's three wickets earlier had kept England from pushing past 160, and his all-round influence earned him the match award.

For Indian fans, the tournament was a disappointment. India Champions were restricted to 110 for 8 against the West Indies side in a key group game and lost by six wickets, which knocked them out of semi-final contention. With several former India internationals in the squad, supporters had hoped for a deep run.

Legends tournaments also raise questions about how cricket uses its retired stars. They offer players a way to keep playing and earning after international careers end, and give broadcasters content that attracts nostalgic audiences. Their growth shows there is demand for veteran cricket alongside the main international and franchise calendar.

Short-term: West Indies Champions take the 2026 title, and the result adds to the profile of the format among fans across the cricket world.

Long-term: The tournament's organisers will look to build on this season for future editions, including how to handle team withdrawals. India Champions will hope to return stronger next season.

Who is affected: The players of West Indies, England and other Legends teams; fans following veteran cricket; broadcasters and sponsors of the event; and Indian supporters of India Champions.

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