India vs West Indies clash in the International Masters League (IML) T20 2025 final took place on March 16, 2025, at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur. Led by Sachin Tendulkar, the India Masters delivered a commanding performance to defeat the West Indies Masters, captained by Brian Lara, securing the championship title in style.
Toss and Team Strategy
India Masters won the toss and opted to bowl first, aiming to restrict West Indies’ experienced batting lineup. The decision proved strategic, as India’s disciplined bowling attack put early pressure on the West Indies batters.
West Indies Masters Innings
Batting first, West Indies Masters got off to a cautious start, with Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Brian Lara building the innings. However, Munaf Patel and RP Singh struck early, dismissing key players before they could capitalize.
Despite middle-order resistance from Carl Hooper (45 off 32 balls) and Ricardo Powell (38 off 27 balls), West Indies Masters managed to post 157/7 in 20 overs. Irfan Pathan was the standout bowler for India, picking up 3 wickets for 26 runs.
India Masters’ Chase
Chasing 158, India Masters had a flying start, thanks to Virender Sehwag’s aggressive 52 off 28 balls, setting the tone early on. Yuvraj Singh (48 off 35 balls) played a crucial anchor role, while Sachin Tendulkar (30 off 24 balls) ensured stability in the chase.
A late flourish from Irfan Pathan (22 off 12 balls) helped India reach the target with 9 balls to spare, finishing at 158/4 in 18.3 overs.
Match-Winning Performances
- Man of the Match: Virender Sehwag (52 runs, 2 catches)
- Best Bowler: Irfan Pathan (3/26)
- Key Contribution: Yuvraj Singh (48 runs, 1 wicket)
Post-Match Reactions
Speaking after the victory, Sachin Tendulkar praised his team’s all-round performance, stating:
“This was a special win. Everyone contributed, and the way we fought back with the ball made a huge difference.”
Brian Lara, despite the loss, acknowledged India’s dominance, saying:
“We were 15-20 runs short. India played better cricket today, and they deserved the trophy.”
Impact of the Victory
With this win, India Masters became the inaugural champions of IML T20 2025, marking a memorable moment for cricketing legends and their fans worldwide.
What’s Next?
The success of the India vs West Indies final highlights the growing popularity of the Masters League. Fans can look forward to more such legendary clashes in upcoming seasons.
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