IML 2025: India Masters Triumph Over WI Masters in Nail-Biter Semifinal
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Synopsis
On March 9, the India Masters achieved a thrilling seven-run victory against the West Indies Masters in Raipur, setting the stage for the semifinals of the IML 2025. With key performances by Stuart Binny and Yuvraj Singh, the match showcased a captivating blend of nostalgia and excitement.
Key Takeaways
- India Masters secured victory against West Indies Masters.
- Stuart Binny took 3 wickets to turn the match.
- Yuvraj Singh contributed significantly with an unbeaten 49.
- Ambati Rayudu and Saurabh Tiwary both scored fifties.
- Thrilling finish with Irfan Pathan delivering in the final over.
Raipur, March 9 (NationPress) The India Masters polished their strategies for the semifinals of the International Masters League (IML) 2025 with a thrilling victory by just seven runs against the West Indies Masters, marking the beginning of the tournament's concluding phase in Raipur on Saturday.
Stuart Binny's impressive three-wicket spell and a clever final over from Irfan Pathan ensured the home team clinched a victory in this high-scoring encounter.
This match was a nostalgic revival of one of cricket's greatest rivalries—Sachin Tendulkar vs Brian Lara. Though the Indian legend was on the bench, the match delivered an exciting mix of nostalgia and thrilling cricket. The India Masters commenced with a robust batting performance, led by explosive half-centuries from Ambati Rayudu and Saurabh Tiwary, and a late flourish from Yuvraj Singh that propelled them to an impressive score of 253/3.
Under the captaincy of Yuvraj Singh, the home side batted first after Lara won the toss, setting the stage for a thrilling encounter. The new opening pair of Ambati Rayudu (63) and Saurabh Tiwary (60) faced off against the energetic Dwayne Smith, marking a new era of veterans continuing the legacy in front of a vibrant weekend crowd, including Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai, at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium.
The innings started strongly as Rayudu and Tiwary effectively tackled the pitch's slight green tinge, with Rayudu particularly aggressive. After a lucky break, Rayudu unleashed a barrage of boundaries, reaching his half-century in just 30 balls.
However, just when Rayudu seemed poised to dominate, Benn claimed his wicket, breaking the impressive 94-run opening partnership. Meanwhile, Tiwary maintained his composure, scoring a half-century in 32 balls and partnering with Gurkeerat Singh Mann (46) to push India Masters past 150 by the 14th over.
The West Indies Masters faced relentless pressure as Gurkeerat attacked Jonathan Carter, hitting him for two towering sixes and a boundary before falling just shy of his own half-century. Tiwary, having received a lifeline, continued to score until he was dismissed for 60. Yuvraj then came in and quickly asserted his dominance with a rapid 49 not out, forming an undefeated partnership with Yusuf Pathan (14 not out) to solidify their total.
In reply, the West Indies Masters matched the aggressive start, with Dwayne Smith (79) and William Perkins (52) forming a formidable 121-run opening partnership. However, Binny's intervention shifted the match's momentum, as he took crucial wickets to secure a memorable win for India Masters.
With the dew coming into play, Smith scored his half-century in a swift 22 balls but was eventually outfoxed by Binny, who also dismissed Carter and Kirk Edwards. Despite Ashley Nurse (21 not out) and Narsingh Deonarine (28) bringing the equation down to 24 runs off the last over, Pathan's experience allowed him to restrict the West Indies Masters to a total of 246/6, which included a boundary from Lara.
Final Scores: India Masters 253/3 in 20 overs (Ambati Rayudu 63, Saurabh Tiwary 60, Yuvraj Singh 49 not out; Sulieman Benn 1-34, Jerome Taylor 1-42) defeated West Indies Masters 246/6 in 20 overs (Dwayne Smith 79, William Perkins 52, Lendl Simmons 38; Stuart Binny 3/13, Pawan Negi 2/27) by 7 runs.
