International Masters League 2025: Nitin Namdev, Raipur. The final phase of the International Masters League (IML) 2025 in Raipur began in a brilliant manner, with three wickets of Stuart Binny and the help of Irfan Pathan’s magnificent over India Masters on Saturday won by seven runs over West Indies Masters in a high scoring thriller. India Masters have reached the semi -finals with this victory.
While batting first, India Masters scored 253 runs on three wickets thanks to Ambati Rayudu 63, Saurabh Tiwari 60, Yuvraj Singh 49 unbeaten and 46 runs from Gurkirat Singh Mann while West Indies Masters Masters Dwayne Smith 79, William Perkins 52, William Perkins 52, Landal Simmons 38 could score 246 runs in despite the brilliant innings of Landal Simmons 38.
However, one of the most prestigious rivalry of cricket in IML- Sachin Tendulkar vs. Brian Lara was ready to see again. Although the Indian giants remained sitting outside, but despite this, the match created its own kind of old memories and adventures. India Masters batted brilliantly in Ambati Rayudu and Saurabh Tiwari’s explosive half -centuries and then Yuvraj Singh scored a strong score of 253/3 to their team against West Indies Masters.
Under the leadership of acting captain Yuvraj, the domestic team gave the first blow after Lara won the toss. And as soon as the new salute pair of Rayudu (63) and Tiwari (60) took an aggressive stance against Dwayne Smith’s bang-up, the match took a different color and a large crowd gathered on the weekend under the leadership of Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai at Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium here.
India’s innings began in a purposely manner as Rayudu and Tiwari scored 51 runs using the powerplay and during this time both of them successfully competed on a little green pitch. After getting relief in the beginning, Rayudu specifically attacked the West Indies Masters, set up a boundary and did not show any mercy on the spin pair of Ashley Nurse and Suleman Ben. He hit two skyscrapers off the nurse’s ball and then sent Ben’s ball outside the midwick and completed a brilliant half -century in just 30 balls.
However, when Rayudu looked ready to hold the match India Masters, Ben returned to the 94 -run spectacular opening partnership. The left -arm spinner dismissed Rayudu, who scored 63 runs off 35 balls. It consisted of eight fours and four sixes.
Meanwhile, Tiwari, who initially maintained a shot by shot shot with his opening partner, gradually fell behind Rayudu’s brilliant scoring rate. However, he remained stable at the crease and scored a half -century off 32 balls. In this process, a 79 -run partnership for his second wicket with Gurkirat Singh Mann (46) gained momentum, leading to India Masters 150 by the 14th over and kept pressure on the bowling attack of the West Indies Masters.
The West Indies Masters did not get relief as Gurkirat attacked Jonathan Carter and hit him two skyscrapers and a four. However, Carter took his revenge and dismissed Gurkeerat just four runs before the half -century. This over could have been even more useful for the bowler, if Landal Simmons would not have given Tiwari a life for 52 runs.
Tiwari of the left hand tried to take full advantage of his life and hit a six off Jerome Taylor, but his attempt to score fast proved to be expensive and he became a victim of the same bowler. His 37 -ball innings ended, including seven fours and two sixes.
Finally, Captain Yuvraj Singh, who returned refreshed after the break, did not waste any time to leave his mark by scoring an unbeaten 49 off 20 balls. The left -handed batsman attacked the West Indies bowlers fiercely, in which Carter paid the brunt of his old strokeplay. During this time, Yusuf Pathan (14 not out) at the other end gave Yuvraj a chance to face the bowlers, M.K. The fourth wicket partnership between these two reached 67 not out, which made India a huge score.
In response, the West Indies Masters competed with India’s aggression with a bang. Dwayne Smith (79) and William Perkins (52) retaliated vigorously, scored a brilliant half -centuries and shared a brilliant opening of 121 runs. But when the visiting team was seen under control, then the situation changed with the arrival of Binny. His important breakthrough gave India a memorable victory.
With the freezing of dew, Smith (who completed his half -century in just 22 balls) scored 20 runs in one over of Irfan Pathan. Earlier, Perkins sent left-arm spinner Pawan Negi to long-on and completed his half-century off just 23 balls. However, Breakthrough was found on the next ball, when Negi caught a brilliant returns to dismiss the wicketkeeper-batsman, which ended this brilliant partnership.
The new player Landal Simmons brought the competition to hit sixes to another level. He piled Rahul Sharma with five sixes and a four in a single over. In this over, he scored 34 runs and took the visiting team to 156/1 in half a time. However, India Masters showed a ray of hope through Negi, who finished Simmons’ cruel attack for 38 runs off just 12 balls.
After this, Binny dodged Smith with a great copy ball and gave much awaited success. This explosive opener hit seven fours and six huge sixes off 34 balls. This medium -speed bowler further enhanced the pace in India’s favor by dismissing dangerous Jonathan Carter (11) and Kirk Edwards (4). Ashley Nurse (21 not out) and Narasimha Devnarayan (28), along with the 69 -run visiting team, brought the score to 24 runs in the final over, but Pathan stopped the team at 246/6 using his experience, including Brian Lara’s first ball.
Brief Score: India Masters 253/3 (Ambati Rayudu 63, Saurabh Tiwari 60, Yuvraj Singh 49 unbeaten, Gurkirat Singh Mann 46) defeated West Indies Masters 246/6 (Dwayne Smith 79, William Perkins 52, Landl Simmons 38; Stuart Binny 3/13, Pawan Negi 2/27).