The International Masters League T20 2025 kicked off with an electrifying match between India Masters and Sri Lanka Masters on 22nd February at the Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai. In a nail-biting contest, India Masters emerged victorious by a narrow margin of 4 runs, setting the tone for an exciting tournament ahead.
Sri Lanka Masters Opt to Bowl First in International Masters League T20 2025
Sri Lanka Masters’ captain, Kumar Sangakkara, won the toss and elected to field first. India Masters accepted the challenge and posted a formidable total of 222/4 in their allotted 20 overs. The innings was powered by some explosive batting performances from the Indian legends.
Stuart Binny and Yusuf Pathan Shine with the Bat
All-rounder Stuart Binny was the star of the show for India Masters. Batting at number four, Binny smashed a blistering 68 runs off just 31 balls, striking at an impressive rate of 219.35. His innings included 3 fours and 7 sixes, providing the much-needed momentum to the team.
Not far behind was the hard-hitting Yusuf Pathan, who played a fiery knock of 56 off 22 balls*. Pathan’s strike rate of 254.55 was a treat to watch, as he hammered 3 fours and 6 sixes to ensure India Masters crossed the 220-run mark.
Other notable contributions came from Gurkeerat Singh (44 off 34 balls) and Yuvraj Singh (31* off 22 balls), while legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Ambati Rayudu chipped in with quick runs.
Sri Lanka’s Bowling Efforts
For Sri Lanka Masters, Suranga Lakmal was the pick of the bowlers, claiming 2 wickets for 34 runs in his 4 overs. Isuru Udana and Chaturanga de Silva also managed to take a wicket each, but the Indian batsmen dominated the bowling attack overall.
Sri Lanka’s Valiant Chase
Chasing a target of 223, Sri Lanka Masters put up a spirited fight but fell just short, finishing at 218/9 in 20 overs. Captain Kumar Sangakkara led from the front with a solid 51 off 30 balls, while Jeevan Mendis played a quickfire cameo of 42 off 17 balls to keep the hopes alive. However, the Indian bowlers held their nerve in the final overs to secure a thrilling victory.
Irfan Pathan’s Heroics with the Ball
India Masters’ bowling attack was spearheaded by Irfan Pathan, who delivered a match-winning performance. Pathan picked up 3 wickets for 39 runs in his 4 overs, including crucial breakthroughs at key moments. He was well-supported by Dhawal Kulkarni, Abhimanyu Mithun, and Vinay Kumar, who took 2 wickets each to restrict Sri Lanka’s chase.
A Memorable Start to the Tournament
The opening match of the International Masters League T20 2025 lived up to its hype, providing fans with a thrilling contest filled with nostalgia and high-quality cricket. The performances of legends like Stuart Binny, Yusuf Pathan, and Kumar Sangakkara reminded everyone why they are celebrated as icons of the game.
With this win, India Masters have taken an early lead in the tournament, while Sri Lanka Masters will look to bounce back in their upcoming matches. The stage is set for more exciting encounters as the league progresses.
