IML 2025: Tharanga's Century Leads Sri Lanka Masters to Victory
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Synopsis
In a thrilling match at the IML 2025, Sri Lanka Masters triumphed over Australia Masters by three wickets. Upul Tharanga's explosive century and Lahiru Thirimanne's solid half-century were pivotal in chasing down the target of 218 runs, showcasing remarkable batting prowess.
Key Takeaways
- Upul Tharanga scored a stunning century off 51 balls.
- Lahiru Thirimanne contributed with a quick 53 runs.
- Australia Masters set a target of 218 runs.
- The match featured impressive partnerships between Sri Lankan batsmen.
- The game highlighted the enduring talent of legendary cricketers.
Vadodara, Feb 28 (NationPress) The Sri Lanka Masters clinched a thrilling victory against the Australia Masters by three wickets, thanks to an explosive century from Upul Tharanga, who scored a remarkable 102 runs off just 54 balls, and a solid half-century from Lahiru Thirimanne in the International Masters League (IML) 2025. The match, held in Vadodara after an exciting start in Navi Mumbai, attracted a large crowd eager to witness the inaugural IML action.
Chasing a target of 218 runs, Sri Lanka Masters faced an early challenge with the loss of Kumar Sangakkara. However, the formidable partnership between Tharanga (102 off 54) and Thirimanne (53 off 34) produced a stunning 153-run stand for the second wicket, showcasing their exceptional batting skills reminiscent of their peak performances. Tharanga, initially cautious, found his rhythm against Daniel Christian, hitting him for two sixes and a four to reach a swift fifty in just 31 balls.
As the innings progressed, Tharanga, who was dropped on 83, unleashed an aggressive onslaught on the Australia Masters bowlers. Thirimanne, who had been rotating the strike, also shifted gears, reminiscent of the fearless cricket that marked Sri Lanka's golden era. He secured his fifty with a boundary off Nathan Coulter-Nile.
Just when it seemed Sri Lanka Masters would seal their victory with style, Ben Laughlin brought Australia back into contention by dismissing Thirimanne just before Tharanga reached his century with a single.
Laughlin picked up two more wickets in his final over, including Tharanga and Chinthaka Jayasinghe. Meanwhile, Christian also took the crucial wicket of Asela Gunaratne. With only 35 runs needed from the last three overs, Isuru Udana (15 off 6) hit Christian for a pair of sixes. In a nail-biting finish, Jeevan Mendis and Seekkuge Prasanna put up a valiant effort before Chaturanga de Silva sealed the win with a six.
Earlier, under the floodlights at the Baroda Cricket Association Stadium, the iconic players of Sri Lanka's golden generation gathered, with Kumar Sangakkara inviting Shane Watson to bat.
Sri Lanka Masters aimed to exert early pressure on the Australians. Watson and Shaun Marsh began cautiously, but Watson quickly shifted into high gear, hitting Udana for three consecutive boundaries—a reminder of his prime form.
Just as Australia seemed poised to accelerate, Dhammika Prasad struck, dismissing Watson and reigniting the competitive spirit. Marsh and wicketkeeper Ben Dunk then forged a 102-run partnership for the second wicket. Gunaratne eventually broke the partnership by dismissing Dunk, who scored a brisk 56 runs off 29 balls, including five fours and four sixes.
Marsh continued to impress with his aggressive batting, forming a 54-run partnership with Daniel Christian before Chaturanga de Silva dismissed Christian, who scored 34 runs off 13 balls. Returning for a second spell, Udana claimed Marsh's wicket, who had a destructive innings of 77 runs off 49 balls, featuring seven fours and five sixes. In the end, Nathan Reardon (11 not out off 9) and Ben Cutting (19 not out off 7) propelled Australia Masters to a formidable total of 217/4.
Brief scores:
Australia Masters 217/4 (Shaun Marsh 77, Ben Dunk 56, Daniel Christian 34; Asela Gunaratne 1/37) lost to Sri Lanka Masters 222/7 (Upul Tharanga 102, Lahiru Thirimanne 53; Ben Laughlin 3/35) by 3 wickets.
