Former India batter and 2011 ODI World Cup winner Yuvraj Singh scored an unbeaten 49 as India Masters beat West Indies Masters in the final leg of the International Masters League (IML) 2025 in Raipur on Saturday.
The stage was set for a nostalgic showdown, rekindling one of cricket’s most legendary rivalries—Sachin Tendulkar vs Brian Lara. While the Indian icon was rested, the contest still lived up to its billing, delivering a captivating blend of nostalgia and exhilarating action.
India Masters set the tone with a commanding batting display, spearheaded by blistering half-centuries from Ambati Rayudu and Saurabh Tiwary before Yuvraj’s late-order fireworks propelled the side to an imposing 253 for three.
MORE FROM IML 2025: Sachin Tendulkar’s blistering fifty in vain as Australia Masters beats India Masters by 95 runs
In response, West Indies Masters matched India’s aggression with an explosive start. Dwayne Smith (79) and William Perkins (52) launched a fierce counterattack, slamming destructive fifties and forging a menacing 121-run opening stand.
But just when the visitors looked in control, Roger Binny’s introduction turned the tide. He took three crucial wickets, derailing the chase.
It all came down to the final over, with West Indies needing 24. But Irfan Pathan, who was struck for 20 in a previous over, used his experience to redeem himself, restricting the opponent to 246 for six.
Brief Scores:
India Masters 253/3 (Ambati Rayudu 63, Saurabh Tiwary 60, Yuvraj Singh 49 not out, Gurkeerat Singh Mann 46) beat West Indies Masters 246/6 (Dwayne Smith 79, William Perkins 52, Lendl Simmons 38; Stuart Binny 3/13, Pawan Negi 2/27) by 7 runs.