Raipur, March 16: India Masters made history by winning the inaugural International Masters League (IML) 2025 title, defeating West Indies Masters by six wickets in a thrilling final that captured the magic of cricket’s golden era. Led by the legendary Sachin Tendulkar, India Masters delivered an all-round performance that outclassed Brian Lara’s West Indies Masters to lift the prestigious title in front of nearly 50,000 fans at the SVNS International Stadium on Sunday.
The tournament, built on nostalgia, skill, and the undying spirit of the game, delivered dream matchups, and the final between the two cricketing powerhouses — India Masters and West Indies Masters — was the perfect setting for the climax. The match had all the elements of a classic — a packed stadium, cricketing legends reliving their prime, and fans eagerly anticipating an epic battle. After India Masters restricted West Indies Masters to a modest 148/7, India set off on a solid chase, riding on a fluent 67-run opening stand between Master Blaster Tendulkar (25) and Ambati Rayudu (74).
India Masters made a strong statement with their batting. Tendulkar, as always, played with finesse, threading the field with his signature cover drives and flicks, while Rayudu took a more aggressive approach, dismantling the West Indies bowling with controlled aggression. Tendulkar entertained the crowd with a couple of boundaries before being dismissed by Tino Best. Rayudu continued the fireworks, bringing up a 34-ball fifty with a boundary off Best, while his second-wicket partnership with Gurkeerat Singh Mann (14) added another 28 runs to the total.
Though Rayudu fell to left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn after a blistering 50-ball knock, and Yusuf Pathan was trapped by Ashley Nurse, the India Masters remained on course. With just 17 runs needed from the final 28 balls, Stuart Binny (15 not out) sealed the win with two huge sixes.
Earlier, India Masters’ bowlers dominated after Brian Lara’s West Indies Masters chose to bat first, restricting them to a modest 148/7, with Lendl Simmons’ 57 being the standout contribution.
Lara (6) made a bold decision to open the batting himself, and alongside Dwayne Smith (45), they made an explosive start, putting India Masters on the back foot with 34 runs in under four overs. However, it was Vinay Kumar who turned the game around, dismissing Lara and halting West Indies’ momentum. Smith continued to play aggressively before falling to Shahbaz Nadeem. India Masters tightened their grip as Nadeem and Pawan Negi squeezed the middle order, leaving the West Indies team struggling. Despite a counterattacking 57 from Simmons, West Indies Masters were restricted to a below-par total.
Vinay Kumar was the pick of the bowlers for India Masters with figures of 3/26, while Shahbaz Nadeem and Pawan Negi each took two wickets.
Brief Scores: West Indies Masters 148/7 (Lendl Simmons 57, Dwayne Smith 45; Vinay Kumar 3/26, Shahbaz Nadeem 2/12) lost to India Masters 149/4 (Ambati Rayudu 74, Sachin Tendulkar 25, Stuart Binny 16 not out; Ashley Nurse 2/22) by six wickets.
