By Deepak Sharma (Indian Correspondent)
Navi Mumbai, India (22-02-2025): The International Masters League 2025 (IML) got off to a pulsating start as India Masters edged out Sri Lanka Masters by four runs in a high-scoring contest at the DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai on Saturday.
The opening match was nothing short of a spectacle, bringing back vintage cricketing moments as legendary players rolled back the years with scintillating performances.
With the stage set for an electrifying encounter, Sri Lanka Masters won the toss and invited India to bat first. The iconic Sachin Tendulkar opened the innings alongside Ambati Rayudu, much to the delight of the packed stadium.
The maestro began with two elegant boundaries off Isuru Udana before falling early. However, Stuart Binny and Gurkeerat Singh Mann took charge, launching a fierce counterattack. Binny played a whirlwind knock of 68 off just 31 balls, smashing seven massive sixes and three boundaries, while Mann’s 32-ball 44, featuring seven fours, ensured a strong platform for India. After his departure, Yuvraj Singh treated fans to glimpses of his vintage self, hammering a fluent 31* off 22 balls.
The real fireworks came from Yusuf Pathan, whose explosive unbeaten 56 off 22 balls, including six towering sixes and three fours, powered India to a formidable total of 222/4. Suranga Lakmal was the pick of Sri Lanka’s bowlers, claiming 2/34.
Chasing 223, Sri Lanka Masters were led by their skipper Kumar Sangakkara, who played a classy yet aggressive knock of 51 off 30 balls. His 61-run stand with Lahiru Thirimanne (24 off 17) provided the visitors with a promising start. However, Irfan Pathan turned the game on its head, striking thrice in quick succession, including the prized wicket of Sangakkara and Chaturanga de Silva off consecutive deliveries.Despite the middle-order wobble, Asela Gunaratne (37 off 25) and Jeevan Mendis (42 off 17) kept Sri Lanka in the hunt with a blazing 68-run partnership.
The equation boiled down to nine runs required off the final over, with Isuru Udana’s quickfire 23 off seven balls adding to the tension. However, Abhimanyu Mithun held his nerve, taking two crucial wickets while conceding just five runs to seal a thrilling victory for India.
Brief Scores: India Masters- 222/4 (Stuart Binny 68, Yusuf Pathan 56*, Gurkeerat Singh Mann 44, Yuvraj Singh 31*; Suranga Lakmal 2/34). Sri Lanka Masters- 218/9 (Kumar Sangakkara 51, Jeevan Mendis 42, Asela Gunaratne 37; Irfan Pathan 3/39, Dhawal Kulkarni 2/34, Abhimanyu Mithun 2/41).
India Masters defeated Sri Lanka Masters by 4 runs.