Raipur: The echoes of the past filled the SVNS International Stadium in Raipur as cricketing greats from two powerhouse nations took center stage for the grand finale of the inaugural International Masters League (IML) 2025 on Sunday. A tournament built on nostalgia, skill and the undying spirit of the game had delivered dream matchups, and none could be bigger than this — Sachin Tendulkar’s India Masters locking horns with Brian Lara’s West Indies Masters for the coveted title.
The summit clash had all the makings of a classic — a packed stadium, cricketing greats rolling back the years as fans braced themselves for an epic battle after the West Indies Masters opted to bat , and the India Masters rode a superb bowling show to restrict them for a sub-par 148/7, built mainly around Lendl Simmons’ half century.
Leading from the front, Brian Lara (6) made a bold call by stepping up to open the innings himself. At 55, Lara’s mere presence was enough to send a surge of emotion through the crowd and alongside the explosive Dwayne Smith (45), he set the stage for a dream start. The Caribbean duo tore into the new ball, racing to 34 in just under four overs, making Indian Masters captain Sachin Tendulkar and his bowlers rethink their plans.
But as they say, cricket is a great leveller, and it was Vinay Kumar who delivered one such twist by getting rid of Lara, to bring the West Indies Masters’ charge to a screeching halt. As the iconic left-hander walked back, the capacity crowd, which had been silenced by his side’s initial onslaught, rose in unison, acknowledging not just the wicket, but a cricketing great who had defined an era.
William Perkins (6) stepped in to replace Lara but soon fell victim to Shahbaz Nadeem’s guile. Meanwhile, Smith continued to impose himself, smashing six boundaries and two sixes before Nadeem struck again, ending his 35-ball knock. From there, India Masters tightened their grip on the game with the spin duo of Nadeem and Pawan Negi strangling the middle order, to leave the Caribbean side gasping for momentum. Ravi Rampaul’s (2) elevation in the order to combat left-arm spin didn’t pay off, with Stuart Binny removing him cheaply.
Negi then dealt another body blow, castling Chadwick Walton (6) right after being dispatched for a towering six. Amidst the chaos, Lendl Simmons stood tall with a counterattacking 34-ball fifty as he held his fort to anchor the West Indies Masters innings with a vital 61-run sixth wicket partnership with wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin (12 not out), who was happy playing the second fiddle. Simmons, however, perished after facing 41 deliveries for his 57, laced with five boundaries and a six, while attempting to shift gears in the final over of the innings as India Masters eventually restricted them to a below-par total.
For the home side, Vinay Kumar emerged the pick of the bowlers, returning 3/26, while Shahbaz Nadeem came up with two wickets. Pawan Negi and Stuart Binny also chipped in with a wicket apiece.
Brief Scores: West Indies Masters 148/7 (Lendl Simmons 57, Dwayne Smith 45; Vinay Kumar 3/26, Shahbaz Nadeem 2/12) vs India Masters.
