The inaugural International Masters League (IML) 2025 commenced with excitement as India Masters narrowly defeated Sri Lanka Masters by four runs at DY Patil Stadium on Saturday. This thrilling encounter not only showcased cricketing legends but also highlighted the spirit of the game as they made remarkable comebacks and displayed their skills on the field.
Batting first, India Masters posted a formidable total of 222 runs for four wickets, thanks to stellar performances from Stuart Binny and Yusuf Pathan. After being invited to bat by Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara, early jitters saw stalwarts like Ambati Rayudu and Sachin Tendulkar leave the crease quickly. Tendulkar, the iconic figure of Indian cricket, hit two boundaries but managed only 10 runs before the Sri Lankan bowlers struck again.
Despite the early loss, Binny joined hands with Gurkeerat Singh Mann to establish control over the innings. Their partnership burgeoned to 87 runs for the third wicket, where Binny took center stage with his electrifying innings of 68 off just 31 balls, hitting seven sixes and three fours. Mann, contributing with 44 runs from 32 balls, ensured the scoreboard kept ticking over.
Yuvraj Singh's presence added flair, with 31 runs off 22 deliveries, but it was Yusuf Pathan who turned out to be the showstopper. Pathan racked up 56* from just 22 balls, smashing six sixes and three additional boundaries. His explosive batting lifted India to what looked like an insurmountable total of 222/4 at the end of their innings. Suranga Lakmal was the standout bowler for Sri Lanka, taking 2 wickets for 34 runs.
Entering the chase, Sri Lanka Masters had high hopes, spearheaded by the legendary Kumar Sangakkara. He opened the innings aggressively, scoring 51 runs off 30 balls, which included eight boundaries and one six. Partnering with Lahiru Thirimanne, they managed to put together 61 runs for the second wicket. Despite some initial hiccups, sangakkara's commanding presence at the crease ignited their chase.
The momentum shifted as India retaliated with some tight bowling, particularly from Irfan Pathan, who took three wickets for 39 runs. His insistent pressure proved decisive as he quickly dispatched Sangakkara and Chaturanga de Silva, leaving Sri Lanka at 92 for four.
Despite losing wickets, Sri Lanka's middle order showed resilience. With the innings needing stabilization, both Jeevan Mendis and Gunaratne played key roles. Mendis blasted 42 runs off just 17 balls, creating tension as the Sri Lankan total climbed. Alongside Gunaratne’s steady 37 off 25 balls, they built their innings to remain competitive.
With the game hanging on the edge, Sri Lanka found themselves at the cusp of victory. They required nine runs off the last over bowled by Abhimanyu Mithun. The excitement peaked as Mithun held his nerve, executing his deliveries expertly and conceding only five runs, whilst taking out two Sri Lankan batsmen, sealing India's triumph.
Overall, India Masters finished with 222/4, led by Stuart Binny and Yusuf Pathan's spectacular contributions, with Sri Lanka Masters scoring 218/9. The match, reminiscent of nostalgia with all the legends stepping back onto the field, ended with India celebrating their exhilarating four-run victory, setting the tone for the tournament.
This remarkable clash marked the beginning of the IML 2025, where teams consisting of some of cricket’s finest are engaged, creating hopes of more thrilling displays as the tournament progresses. Legendary figures from various countries are clashing, and their skills on exhibit promise the fans many more nail-biting encounters to look forward to.