Navi Mumbai, Feb 26 (NationPress) Gurkeerat Singh Mann delivered an outstanding performance with an unbeaten half-century, leading India Masters to a decisive nine-wicket triumph over England Masters in a captivating match during the International Masters League 2025 on Tuesday.

An exhilarating display of skill and strategy unfolded at the packed DY Patil Stadium as former cricket legends showcased their talents under the floodlights. India's chase for 133 runs kicked off with the legendary Sachin Tendulkar making his mark, smashing five boundaries and a six during his 34 runs off just 21 balls, setting the stage with a quick 75-run opening partnership alongside Gurkeerat, who also displayed aggression with an unbeaten 63 off 35 balls.

The lively crowd fell silent momentarily as Tendulkar was dismissed, caught by Tim Ambrose off the bowling of Chris Schofield. However, the atmosphere shifted dramatically with the entrance of Yuvraj Singh, who reignited the cheers by launching a massive six on his second ball from the English leg-spinner. He hurriedly added four boundaries to his total, ending with 27 not out off 14 balls, forming an unbeaten 57-run partnership with Gurkeerat, securing the victory for India Masters in just 11.4 overs.

Earlier in the match, as the third game of the inaugural IML, Sachin Tendulkar’s India Masters opted to field first against Eoin Morgan’s England Masters. The decision quickly proved advantageous when Abhimanyu Mithun struck in the third over, dismissing stumper Phil Mustard (8), followed by Dhawal Kulkarni taking out Morgan for a quick 14 runs.

Following the early losses, Tim Ambrose and Darren Maddy stabilized England’s innings with a calculated 43-run partnership for the third wicket. Ambrose scored a 22-ball 23, while Maddy contributed 25 runs off 24 balls before falling to left-arm spinner Pawan Negi, who took two wickets in quick succession, keeping India in command.

Despite attempts for a late-order recovery, England's batting faltered against India's disciplined bowlers, with Vinay Kumar removing Dimitri Mascarenhas for a single digit score and both Mithun and Kulkarni striking again to dismiss Chris Tremlett (16) and Steven Finn (1). In the end, Chris Schofield added a late push with an unbeaten 18 runs off 8 balls.

For India, Dhawal Kulkarni was the standout bowler, achieving impressive figures of 3-21, while both Abhimanyu Mithun and Pawan Negi secured two wickets each, with Vinay Kumar contributing one wicket.

Brief scores:

England Masters 132/8 (Darren Maddy 25, Tim Ambrose 23; Dhawal Kulkarni 3/21, Pawan Negi 2/16) lost to India Masters 133/1 (Gurkeerat Singh Mann 63 not out, Sachin Tendulkar 34, Yuvraj Singh 27 not out) by 9 wickets.