In a thrilling final that brought back memories of cricket’s heyday, India Masters made history by defeating West Indies Masters by six wickets to claim the inaugural International Masters League (IML) 2025 title.

The squad, led by the renowned Sachin Tendulkar, outperformed Brian Lara’s West Indies Masters with a strong all-around performance. Nearly 50,000 fervent cricket fans cheered for their favorites during the big match, which took place at the SVNS International Stadium.

Dream matchups involving former greats were part of the tournament, which was praised for its unique combination of skill, nostalgia, and an unshakable love for the game. With a thrilling match between two cricketing titans, the India Masters vs. West Indies Masters title match was the ideal conclusion.

By holding their opponents to 148/7 and then launching a well-paced chase led by a 67-run opening partnership, the India Masters laid the groundwork for their victory. Ambati Rayudu (74) and Tendulkar (25) established a strong base that made the journey to the goal easy.

Tendulkar and Rayudu‘s brilliant strokeplay enthralled the crowded arena. With accurate cover drives and flicks, Tendulkar displayed his trademark finesse, but Rayudu took a more aggressive tack and used well-timed shots to destroy the opposition’s bowling assault.

A few beautiful boundaries and a six from the 51-year-old cricket legend delighted the fans until Tino Best’s savage delivery ended his innings. The electrified stands were momentarily quieted by his expulsion, but India Masters maintained control and ultimately won a historic victory.

But as India Masters sailed toward the goal, Rayudu made sure the pyrotechnics went on. While his second-wicket partnership with Gurkeerat Singh Mann (14) added another 28 runs to the Indian total, the right-handed opener reached a fifty off 34 balls with a boundary off Best. Yuvraj Singh (13 not out) came into the middle to thunderous applause after Mann was dismissed while trying to give off-spinner Ashley Nurse a glory shot.

The West Indies Masters spinners postponed the inevitable by taking out Rayudu, who was trapped in front by Nurse and fell to left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn after hitting nine fours and three enormous sixes in his 50-ball knock, and new man Yusuf Pathan just as the India Masters were sweeping home to victory. But Stuart Binny (16 not out) put the finishing touches in style by smoking two enormous sixes when the equation was down to 17 off the last 28 deliveries.

After the Caribbean team chose to bat, the Indian Masters bowlers set the terms, limiting them to a respectable 148/7, which was primarily based on Lendl Simmons’ half-century.

Making the audacious decision to start the innings himself was Brian Lara (6). Alongside the energetic Dwayne Smith (45), Lara’s appearance alone, at 55, was enough to send a wave of emotion through the crowd, setting the stage for a fantastic start. Indian Masters captain Sachin Tendulkar and his bowlers had to reconsider their strategies after the Caribbean pair blasted into the new ball, hitting 34 in less than four overs.

However, as they say, cricket is a wonderful leveler, and Vinay Kumar was the one who supplied one such twist by dismissing Lara, which put a halt to the West Indies Masters’ assault. The packed audience, which had been quieted by his team’s first assault, sprang up in unison as the legendary left-hander made his way back, celebrating not just the wicket but also a cricketing legend who had shaped an era.

Vinay Kumar was the best bowler for the home team, returning 3/26, while Shahbaz Nadeem claimed two wickets. Stuart Binny and Pawan Negi each contributed a wicket.

Brief Scores: West Indies Masters 148/7 (Lendl Simmons 57, Dwayne Smith 45; Vinay Kumar 3/26, Shahbaz Nadeem 2/12) lost to India Masters 149/4 (Ambati Rayudu 74, Sachin Tendulkar 25, Stuart Binny 16 not out; Ashley Nurse 2/22) by six wickets.