India Masters etched their name in the record books by winning the first International Masters League (IML) 2025 title, registering a comprehensive six-wicket win over West Indies Masters in a thrilling finale that revived the magic of cricket's golden age.
Led by the iconic Sachin Tendulkar, India Masters put up an all-around masterclass to outshine Brian Lara's West Indies Masters in claiming the coveted trophy in front of an electric crowd of almost 50,000 at the SVNS International Stadium on Sunday.
Fostered on nostalgia, talent, and the ageless love for the game, the tournament gave fans dream meetings leading to a befitting climax of two cricketing giants. With a full house and cricket greats turning back the clock, the final was in the making of a classic. Following India Masters' successful containment of West Indies Masters to a humble 148/7, they laid the platform for a nail-biting chase, spearheaded by a confident 67-run opening stand between the legend Tendulkar (25) and Ambati Rayudu (74).
Tendulkar and Rayudu dazzled the audience with a show of vintage batting excellence. The former displayed his trademark elegance, finding beautiful cover drives and flicks past the infielders, while Rayudu went on the attack, dismantling the West Indies bowling unit with measured strokeplay. 51-year-old batting mastermind entertained the spectators with successive boundaries and a six over the cow corner in his quick 18-ball innings before Tino Best's bouncer ended his innings in a flash, temporarily silencing the boisterous crowd.
Rayudu continued the momentum, though, with India Masters moving towards the target. He reached his half-century from 34 balls with a boundary off Best, taking India's grip deeper with a 28-run second-wicket partnership with Gurkeerat Singh Mann (14). Mann's aggressive foray in trying a big shot resulted in his being bowled out by off-spinner Ashley Nurse, and in came Yuvraj Singh (13 not out), whose entrance was welcomed by thunderous applause.
With India Masters closing in on a win, West Indies Masters spinners attempted a late rally. Rayudu, who had hit nine boundaries and three massive sixes off his 50-ball stay, got out to left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn, while Nurse had Yusuf Pathan stumped in front. In spite of the slight hiccups, with just 17 runs needed off the last 28 balls, Stuart Binny (15 not out) made sure of a spectacular finish by hitting two huge sixes to win the game in style.
West Indies Masters Fail to Build on Promising Start
Earlier, India Masters' bowlers dominated after the Caribbean team chose to bat first, restricting them to a sub-par 148/7—predominantly constructed around Lendl Simmons' gritty half-century.
Brian Lara (6) made a big statement by opting to open the innings himself, gaining huge applause from the crowd at 55 years of age. Along with big-hitting Dwayne Smith (45), Lara gave an electrifying start, the pair thundering to 34 in fewer than four overs. The attacking strategy compelled Tendulkar and his bowlers to think again.
But cricket's volatility soon asserted itself, as Vinay Kumar pulled a vital plug by getting Lara out, halting the West Indies Masters' early surge in its tracks. As the great left-hander departed, the full house stood up to salute a player who had dominated an era of cricket.
William Perkins (6) took Lara's place but was promptly undone by Shahbaz Nadeem's spin. Meanwhile, Smith didn't relent on the attack either, blasting six boundaries and two sixes until Nadeem closed his 35-ball inning. From then onwards, India Masters closed out the game by wrapping their spinners Nadeem and Pawan Negi around the middle order, dousing any strong partnerships. Ravi Rampaul (2) was moved further up the batting lineup in hope to match up with the spinners, but he was dispatched cheaply by Stuart Binny.
Negi then gave another jolt by dismissing Chadwick Walton (6) immediately after losing a massive six. Despite the skid, Lendl Simmons held on, hitting a counter-attacking 34-ball fifty to steady the innings. His pivotal 61-run alliance with wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin (12 not out) gave some fight, with Ramdin playing a supporting hand. Simmons later died in the last over after a closely contested 57 off 41 balls, with five boundaries and a six, as India Masters successfully restricted West Indies Masters to a chaseable score.
For the home team, Vinay Kumar was the star bowler with 3/26, supported by Shahbaz Nadeem with two scalps. Pawan Negi and Stuart Binny also registered crucial breakthroughs to seal India Masters' grip on the game.
Brief Scores:
West Indies Masters: 148/7 (Lendl Simmons 57, Dwayne Smith 45; Vinay Kumar 3/26, Shahbaz Nadeem 2/12)
India Masters: 149/4 (Ambati Rayudu 74, Sachin Tendulkar 25, Stuart Binny 16*; Ashley Nurse 2/22)
Result: Masters India won by six wickets.
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