India beat West Indies in the IML final thanks to a classic upper cut from Sachin Tendulkar.
India won the International Masters League's first edition on Sunday, March 16, defeating the West Indies. In the final, when Sachin Tendulkar unleashed his incredible upper-cut shot, the crowd went wild.
Ankush Pandey
Highlights
- India won the first International Masters League against the West Indies.
- 25 runs were scored by Sachin Tendulkar off of 18 balls.
- It turned out that Ambati Rayudu's 74 was the difference.
Sachin Tendulkar's amazing uppercut on Sunday, March 16th, went back in time. While participating in the International Masters League, Sachin enthralled the Raipur Stadium crowd with his famous upper-cut shot.
When Sachin batted against Jerome Taylor in the last over of the powerplay, he hit the fast bowler for consecutive fours and sixes. Fans on social media were reminded of his amazing shot against Shoaib Akhtar from the 2003 World Cup by the six in the very next ball, even though the boundary was a touch of class.
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— INTERNATIONAL MASTERS LEAGUE (@imlt20official) March 16, 2025
Watch the Grand Finale ???? LIVE now on @JioHotstar, @Colors_Cineplex & @CCSuperhits! ????????#IMLT20 #TheBaapsOfCricket #IMLonJioHotstar #IMLonCineplex pic.twitter.com/N7u94Tfp8h
One of Master Blaster's most memorable shots in his 24-year international career is Tendulkar's upper-cut for six off Akhtar during the 2003 World Cup.
India was chasing 274 runs to win at Centurion in that match. It all began in the second over of the chase, which was bowled by Akhtar, and was started by India's opener, Sachin. Sachin hit a powerful six off a short, wide ball that was bowled at 151 kmph over the third-man area. The next two balls he hit for boundaries were smashed.
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Sachin scored 98 before being removed by Akhtar, but after Sachin's destructive six, Pakistan was unable to rally.
Match Awards
- Baroda Bank The match's masterstroke was Ambati Rayudu's nine fours, which cost Rs. 50,000.
- Ambati Rayudu had the most sixes in the game with three, worth Rs. 50,000.
- Shahbaz Nadeem was the match's game-changing player (2/12 in 4 overs).
- Shahbaz Nadeem is the most economical bowler, with an economy rate of 3.00.
- Ambati Rayudu (74 runs off 50 balls) was the player of the match and received Rs. 50,000.
Season Awards
- Kumar Sangakkara has the most fours of the season with 38 (Rs. 500,000).
- Shane Watson had the most sixes of the season with 25 (Rs. 500,000).
IML 2025 Prize Money
- India Masters, the winners, received Rs. 10,000,000 (1 crore rupees).
- Second-place finishers: West Indies Masters, with Rs. 5,000,000 (50 lakh rupees).
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Dream matchups had been produced by a tournament based on skill, nostalgia, and the unwavering spirit of cricket. The final match between the two cricketing heavyweights, the India Masters and the West Indies Masters, couldn't have been more fitting. The match had all the makings of a classic: a crowded stadium, cricketing legends turning back the clock as spectators prepared for a titanic battle after the India Masters held the opposition to a poor 148/7, and then set the tone for the chase with a fluid 67-run opening partnership between Master Blaster Tendulkar (25) and Ambati Rayudu (74).
International Masters League Final: Highlights
India beat West Indies Masters by six wickets on Sunday to win the first-ever International Masters League (IML) 2025 championship. In front of almost 50,000 spectators in Raipur, the India Masters put on a full show under the direction of the renowned Sachin Tendulkar.
India and the West Indies Masters, the highly anticipated match, exemplified cricket's golden age as both sides prepared for a thrilling conclusion. India put on a disciplined bowling display, limiting the West Indies Masters to 148/7. Early fireworks were provided by Dwayne Smith (45), while Lendl Simmons' 57 off 41 balls, which included five boundaries and a six, stabilized the West Indies innings. But the India Masters spinners, who were led by Vinay Kumar (3/26) and Shahbaz Nadeem (2/25), and Pawan Negi (1/24), tightened their hold.
Tendulkar (25) and Ambati Rayudu (74) combined for a 67-run opening partnership to give the India Masters a strong start in reply. Rayudu adopted an aggressive strategy, hitting nine fours and three sixes in his 50-ball knock, while Tendulkar played with his signature grace. Rayudu was dismissed by left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn after reaching his fifty off just thirty-four balls. The target was within striking distance, but Yusuf Pathan (0) soon followed.
Stuart Binny (16 not out) hit two huge sixes to finish the job in style when India needed 17 off 28 balls. The West Indies spinners had earlier postponed the inevitable by taking wickets, but India won thanks to Rayudu's brilliant play and Binny's finishing.
India Masters won the championship with a thrilling 148/7 chase, bringing back fond memories of cricket's heyday and making the first IML a huge success.
