India Masters triumphed over West Indies Masters by six wickets to claim the inaugural International Masters League T20 title at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur on March 16, 2025. Captained by cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar, the India Masters chased down the target of 149 with 17.1 overs to spare.
West Indies Masters, led by Brian Lara, won the toss and opted to bat first. Their innings struggled against the disciplined bowling attack of India, concluding at 148 runs for the loss of 7 wickets. Lendl Simmons emerged as the top scorer for the West Indies with 57 runs off 41 balls. Dwayne Smith added to the total with 45 runs from 35 deliveries, propelling the team to finish their innings just under the 150-run mark.
The Indian bowlers put on a commendable performance, spearheaded by Vinay Kumar, who claimed three wickets for 26 runs. Shahbaz Nadeem also contributed significantly, taking two wickets and conceding just 12 runs over four overs.
Chasing the target, India Masters began their innings with Ambati Rayudu and Sachin Tendulkar at the crease. Rayudu provided the necessary momentum, finishing with 74 runs from 50 balls. The pair laid the foundation for the chase, with Tendulkar contributing 25 runs from 18 balls before being dismissed by Tino Best.
The match witnessed some tense moments as tempers flared between Yuvraj Singh of India and Tino Best of West Indies but did not escalate. This minor confrontation added intensity to the contest but highlighted the competitive spirit present throughout the match.
Following Tendulkar’s dismissal, Gurkeerat Singh Mann and Yuvraj Singh made valuable contributions with the bat, ensuring India stayed on course for victory. Stuart Binny sealed the win with the final run, lifting the team and the fans' spirits as they celebrated their victory.
Previously, India Masters had reached the finals after decisively defeating Australia by 94 runs, posting 220 runs and bowling out their opponents for 126. Conversely, West Indies secured their finals berth following a narrow six-run victory against Sri Lanka.
The final match showcased the batting talent from both sides, but the bowlers' performance made the real difference. While India’s total bowling performance was solid, the West Indies faltered under pressure. Historical records from this tournament have shown batting-friendly conditions at this stadium, particularly benefiting teams batting first.
With the crowd cheering passionately, India's victory not only marked the culmination of this inaugural season but also reestablished their dominance in T20 tournaments featuring retired legends. With players like Tendulkar, Rayudu, and Yuvraj Singh exhibiting their skills, the event captured the hearts of cricket fans worldwide.
The IML hopes to provide fans with more exciting matches as it continues to celebrate the legacy of cricket’s all-time greats.