The India Masters, led by the legendary Sachin Tendulkar, secured a resounding nine-wicket victory over the England Masters in the International Masters League (IML) 2025. The game took place at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai. The Men in Blue’s triumph marked their second consecutive win in the tournament.
England Masters’ Innings
Opting to field first after winning the toss, the India Masters’ bowlers quickly justified their captain’s decision. The English opening pair faced early setbacks. Phil Mustard fell for eight runs. He was caught by Pawan Negi off Abhimanyu Mithun’s delivery in the third over. Soon after a brief stint scoring 14 runs off 13 balls, skipper Eoin Morgan was dismissed by Dhawal Kulkarni. That was courtesy of another sharp catch by Negi. These early blows left England struggling at 25/2 within the powerplay.
Tim Ambrose and Darren Maddy attemped to stabilize the innings. They formed a cautious partnership, adding 43 runs for the third wicket. Ambrose contributed 23 runs from 22 balls, while Maddy added 25 off 24 deliveries. But their efforts were curtailed by Pawan Negi. He showcased his all-round prowess by claiming both wickets in quick succession. Negi’s disciplined left-arm spin broke the partnership and stifled the scoring rate. He eventually finished with impressive figures of 2/16 from his four overs.
The middle and lower order of the England Masters struggled to mount a comeback. Tim Bresnan managed 16 runs before falling to Kulkarni, who emerged as the standout bowler with figures of 3/21. Chris Schofield, who remained unbeaten with a quickfire 18 off eight balls, delivered a late surge. Yet, the England Masters were restricted to a modest total of 132/8 at the end of their 20 overs. The Indian bowling attack was complemented by sharp fielding, including three catches by Negi. These efforts ensured that the opposition never settled into a rhythm.
India Masters’ Chase
Chasing a target of 133, the India Masters’ opening duo of Sachin Tendulkar and Gurkeerat Singh Mann set the tone with an aggressive start. Gurkeerat, in particular, was in scintillating form. He was great at dispatching the bowlers to all parts of the ground. He raced on to an unbeaten 63 off just 35 balls, studded with ten fours and a six. His intent was evident from the outset, as he capitalized on loose deliveries and kept the scoreboard ticking briskly.
Tendulkar rolled back the years at the other end with a masterclass in stroke play. The ‘Master Blaster’ enthralled the crowd with his signature shots, including exquisite cover drives and precise cuts. His innings of 34 from 21 balls featured five boundaries and a towering six, reminiscent of his prime days. The duo’s partnership amassed 75 runs in just over seven overs, sealing the game’s fate early in the chase.
Tendulkar’s dismissal was the sole blemish in an otherwise flawless chase, caught by Tim Ambrose off Chris Schofield’s bowling. Yet, this brought Yuvraj Singh to the crease. He wasted no time asserting his dominance. Yuvraj’s aggressive approach saw him smash 27 runs off a mere 14 balls, including four boundaries and a massive six over midwicket. His unbroken 57-run stand with Gurkeerat ensured that the India Masters overhauled the target in just 11.4 overs, finishing at 133/1.
Post-Match Reflections
Captain Sachin Tendulkar expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance. He emphasized the importance of maintaining winning momentum in the tournament. He also praised the collective effort. Tendulkar noted that contributions from seasoned veterans and emerging talents like Gurkeerat Singh Mann bode well for the team’s prospects.
England Masters’ skipper Eoin Morgan acknowledged the team’s shortcomings and credited the India Masters for their superior display. He saied his side needed to regroup and adapt to the challenges ahead, especially considering the tournament’s fast-paced format.
The India Masters have fortified their position in the IML 2025 standings, making them strong contenders for the title. Fans can look forward to more exhilarating performances from these cricketing legends as the tournament progresses.
