On March 16, 2025, cricket fans around the world witnessed the inaugural final match of the International Masters League (IML), where India Masters triumphed over West Indies Masters by six wickets, showcasing remarkable performances on the field.
The final, held at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur, saw the West Indies Masters batting first and scoring just 148 runs. Despite this slight underachievement, the match was set against the backdrop of nostalgia as legends from both teams came face-to-face under the glowing lights of the stadium. India Masters, captained by the legendary Sachin Tendulkar, faced the target with great determination.
West Indies had put up their innings with notable contributions from Dwayne Smith, who scored 45 runs, and Lendl Simmons, who managed to score 57 runs. Their efforts, unfortunately, were not enough to post a competitive total, as for the Indian team, R Vinay Kumar emerged as the standout bowler, claiming three wickets for just 26 runs.
During the chase, the India Masters quickly gained momentum as Sachin Tendulkar and Ambati Rayudu forged a solid opening partnership. Together, they amassed 67 runs, setting up the foundation for India’s victory. Tendulkar displayed his signature style, scoring 25 runs, but it was Rayudu who stole the spotlight with his aggressive batting, scoring 74 runs off 50 balls, paving the way for India’s triumph.
The match did take an intense turn during the 13th over, as former all-rounder Yuvraj Singh became embroiled in a heated altercation with West Indies’ Tino Best. Both players exchanged sharp words, leading to intervention from their teammates, including Brian Lara and umpire Billy Bowden. Despite the fiery exchange, the match quickly returned to its competitive spirit, and Singh continued his innings, finishing not out with 13 runs.
The chase was rounded off with contributions from Gurkeerat Singh Mann and Stuart Binny, adding 14 and 16 runs respectively. Binny, in the final over, played impressively, hitting two mighty sixes to seal the victory with 17 balls to spare. This excellence on display propelled India Masters to engrave their name as the first champions of the IML.
For their efforts, both teams received significant prize money. Aspiring cricketers may take note of the financial incentives within the sport; India Masters walked away with ₹1 crore (₹10 million), whereas the West Indies Masters received ₹50 lakhs (₹5 million). Rayudu's standout performance earned him multiple accolades, including ₹1.5 lakh for being named Player of the Match.
The tournament also recognized Shane Watson for hitting the most sixes (25) throughout the matches with a reward of ₹5 lakhs, and former Sri Lankan captain Kumar Sangakkara for making the most boundaries (38) during the season, similarly rewarded ₹5 lakhs. Post the final match, India's captain Tendulkar expressed his pride for the team, underscoring their balanced performance across the series.
This inaugural IML final not only celebrated the glory of cricket but also deepened the rivalry and camaraderie between former players from different nations, bringing fans together. The spirited match and memorable performances, juxtaposed with emotional moments off the field, encapsulate the essence of cricket as not only a game but as folklore.
With this victory, the India Masters have lifted the coveted title, marking their first step as champions of the IML, and potentially setting up future matches steeped with the same excitement and talent witnessed throughout the tournament.
