Mumbai: Ahead of the IML semi-final between Sri Lanka Masters and West Indies Masters, Denesh Ramdin and Tino Best shared their thoughts on the tournament, playing alongside legends, and their admiration for fellow cricketers.
Denesh Ramdin
Denesh Ramdin spoke on which players from the Sri Lanka Masters squad could pose a challenge, Ramdin said:
“I think Sangakkara is the main guy—he’s batting really well. They have Thirimanne, they have Tharanga. These guys have been performing consistently throughout the tournament. And they have a decent bowling line-up as well for these conditions. They got the better of us in the prelim games, but when it’s a semi-final, it’s crunch time. It comes down to who can handle the pressure better on the day and make fewer mistakes.”
Speaking about the vibrant Indian crowds and the possibility of hosting an event like the International Masters League (IML) in the Caribbean, Ramdin shared:
“It would be fantastic in the Caribbean. We love cricket, and people seeing their role models and idols playing after their international careers would be amazing. Not just in Trinidad, but throughout the Caribbean—probably Barbados, Jamaica—the younger generation will see their idols and come out to support. Cricket is a big part of the Caribbean culture, and the excitement for such a tournament would be incredible.”
On the eve of Holi, Ramdin reflected on how the festival is celebrated in Trinidad and Tobago, drawing parallels with India. He said:
“It’s very similar to India. When you go to the Savannahs, you have the songs playing, you have the Holi powder, and you just go around sharing it with everyone, having a really good time.”
Denesh Ramdin on the growth potential of the International Masters League (IML) and while Sharing his thoughts on how the IML can evolve, Ramdin stated:
“IML is only going to get better in the future. This tournament has been excellent so far, and the level of competitiveness is at an international standard, with guys competing really hard. Players are coming out here to give their best, and it has made for some exciting cricket. We’ve seen names like Dwayne Smith, Lendl Simmons, Kumar Sangakkara, and Sachin himself performing well. The effort the players put in during practice and then execute in the game is amazing to see—the pride and passion are still very much alive.”
When asked about the best wicketkeepers in world cricket at present, Ramdin said:
“Obviously, Rishabh Pant is one—he’s unique in the way he bats and scores runs. There’s a young guy from Australia, Josh Inglis—he did well in the Champions Trophy. Tom Hinton is up there as well. There are many young keepers coming through. Back in the day, wicketkeepers were primarily just keepers, but now cricket has evolved. The role of the keeper-batsman has expanded, starting with players like Adam Gilchrist, who opened the batting and excelled. Others like Quinton de Kock, Brendon McCullum, and of course, the exceptional Mahendra Singh Dhoni, have been fantastic in shaping the modern wicketkeeper’s role.”
Ramdin also shared his thoughts on how Sunil Narine might perform in the upcoming IPL season. He said:
“Obviously, Narine was the MVP last year, and his team won the championship. He’ll have a lot of confidence going into the new season, but every season brings a new atmosphere and new challenges, with different players in the team. I have no doubt that Sunil, though a man of few words, expresses himself fully through his performances with both the ball and the bat.”
TINO BEST
West Indies Masters fast bowler Tino Best reflected on his most cherished moments from the ongoing IML season, Best highlighted the joy of witnessing legends perform. He said:
“Just to see vintage Sachin Tendulkar’s cover drive. Seeing Makhaya Ntini swing it back in, getting people out. Watching Jacques Kallis punch the ball off the back foot. Seeing Shane Watson score hundreds. It’s been memorable, fantastic. It shows the old boys still have a little bit of fire left in their belly.”
Speaking about the passionate Indian cricket fans, Best expressed his admiration for their enthusiasm and knowledge of the game. He said:
“It’s been incredible. The crowds have been fantastic. The interaction as well. It’s always humbling because India, as we know, is the showcase or the showpiece of world cricket. As a kid growing up, I remember it was England and county cricket. But as I got older in my international career, it became India. I think the crowds have really embraced the game, and they always have in India. So it’s always an amazing experience to see the passion still alive for the older generation of cricketers. I’m nearly 44 years old now, and little youngsters still come up to me and ask about how fast I am still bowling. So it’s always great to still inspire the younger generation.
Sharing his insights on fast bowling in T20 cricket, Best emphasized the importance of maintaining pace and fitness. He said:
“Bowl as fast as you can. Just got to hit those Test match lengths. Cricket doesn’t change. A batter can’t back-punch you off that length for sixes repeatedly. So there’s always an opportunity to get an edge to slip or the keeper in the first six overs. If you’ve got a slower ball, work on it. But if you’re a fast bowler, focus on getting faster and fitter.
The biggest issue with fast bowlers in T20 cricket today is that they aren’t as fit as they used to be. Back in the day, we bowled 20 overs a day. So playing T20 was easy because our bodies were used to it. But the new generation isn’t playing enough first-class cricket.
My advice? Play cricket. Don’t just be a T20 specialist—be a complete cricketer. First-class cricket is the foundation where you develop your skills—batting, bowling, and fielding. If you master that, everything else will follow.”
