In March 2025, India Masters Cricket Team clinched the inaugural International Masters League (IML) 2025 by defeating West Indies Masters Cricket Team by 6 wickets in the final at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur, Chhattisgarh. This victory marked India Masters’ first title in the tournament, successfully chasing down a target of 149 runs with 17 balls to spare.
- The tournament was held from February 22 to March 16, 2025, with matches played in Navi Mumbai (Maharashtra), Raipur (Chhattisgarh), and Vadodara (Gujarat).
- India Masters was led by Captain Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar and the West Indies Masters was led by Captain Brian Charles Lara.
Prize Money:
The Winners, India Masters, were awarded Rs.1,00,00,000 (1 crore rupees) and the Runners-up, West Indies Masters, received Rs.50,00,000 (50 lakh rupees).
About International Masters League (IML) 2025:
i.The International Masters League (IML) is a Twenty20 Internationals (T20I) cricket tournament featuring former international cricketers.
ii.The inaugural season took place in 2025, with 6 teams participating: Australia Masters, England Masters, India Masters, South Africa Masters, Sri Lanka Masters and West Indies Masters.
iii.IML 2025 featured a tournament structure comprising a round-robin group stage, followed by knockout semifinals and a final.
iv.India Masters Players: Sachin Tendulkar(captain), Ambati Thirupathi Rayudu (wicketkeeper), Pawan Negi, Yuvraj Singh,Stuart Terence Roger Binny, Yusuf Khan Pathan, Irfan Pathan, Gurkeerat Singh Mann, Vinay Kumar, Shahbaz Nadeem and Dhawal Sunil Kulkarni.
v.West Indies Masters Players:, Brian Charles Lara(captain), Dwayne Smith, William Perkins, Lendl Mark Platter Simmons, Chadwick Antonio Kirkpatrick Walton, Denesh Ramdin(wicketkeeper), Ashley Renaldo Nurse, Tino la Bertram Bes, Jerome Everton Taylor, Sulieman Jamaal Benn and Ravindranath Rampaul.
Highlights of India Masters:
i.Indian former international cricketer, Sachin Tendulkar provided a nostalgic moment with a quick-fire 25 runs off 18 balls, including two fours and one six, before being dismissed.
ii.Former Indian international cricketer Ambati Thirupathi Rayudu anchored the chase with an impressive 74 runs off 50 balls, featuring 9 boundaries and 3 sixes.
- He was awarded the ‘Player of the Match’ for his match-winning performance, scoring 74 runs.
iii.Former Indian international cricketer Yuvraj Singh remained unbeaten on 13 runs off 11 balls, playing a crucial role in the chase’s stability.
iv.Former Indian international cricketer Stuart Terence Roger Binny contributed an unbeaten 15 runs off 8 balls, including a 6, to ease the chase.
IML 2025 Award Winners List:
| Player | Award | Cash Prize |
|---|---|---|
| Ambati Thirupathi Rayudu | Bank of Baroda Masterstroke of the Match | Rs.50,000 |
| Most Sixes in the Match | Rs.50,000 | |
| Player of the Match | Rs.50,000 | |
| Shahbaz Nadeem | Gamechanger of the Match | – |
| Most Economical Bowler | – |
Season Award Winners List:
| Player | Award | Cash Prize |
|---|---|---|
| Kumar Chokshanada Sangakkara | Most Fours in the Season | Rs.5,00,000 |
| Shane Robert Watson | Most Sixes in the Season | Rs.5,00,000 |
