The cricketing world was handled to a second of pure nostalgia on Sunday (March 16), as Sachin Tendulkar, the Grasp Blaster, rolled again the clock together with his iconic upper-cut shot in the course of the ultimate of the Worldwide Masters League (IML T20) 2025.
Enjoying in opposition to West Indies Masters on the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh Worldwide Stadium in Raipur, Tendulkar’s brilliance not solely lit up the stadium but in addition turned an on the spot sensation on social media. The shot evoked recollections of his legendary higher minimize in opposition to Shoaib Akhtar within the 2003 World Cup, a second etched in cricketing historical past.
West Indies Masters stumble regardless of Lendl Simmons’ combat
The ultimate started with West Indies Masters opting to bat first. Nevertheless, their innings bought off to a shaky begin as Indian bowlers struck early. Legends Brian Lara and William Perkins had been dismissed cheaply, each scoring simply six runs. Dwayne Smith tried to stabilize the innings with a quickfire 45 off 35 balls, however Shahbaz Nadeem’s disciplined bowling ended his keep.
Lendl Simmons emerged because the lone warrior for West Indies, scoring a gritty 57 off 41 balls. Regardless of his efforts, the Caribbean aspect managed solely a modest whole of 148/7 of their allotted 20 overs. India Masters’ bowlers had been scientific, with Vinay Kumar main the cost by taking three wickets for 26 runs. Nadeem (2/25) and Pawan Negi (1/24) additionally performed pivotal roles in proscribing the opposition.
Sachin Tendulkar’s higher minimize in opposition to Jerome Taylor: A throwback to glory days
Chasing 149 for victory, India Masters bought off to a strong begin with Tendulkar and Ambati Rayudu forming a gradual opening partnership. The spotlight of the chase got here within the sixth over when Jerome Taylor bowled a short-pitched supply exterior off-stump. Tendulkar, together with his impeccable timing and precision, executed an higher minimize that sailed over the third-man boundary for six. The group erupted in pleasure as they witnessed a shot harking back to Tendulkar’s iconic stroke in opposition to Akhtar in Centurion in the course of the 2003 World Cup.
The shot shortly went viral on social media, with followers and cricket pundits marvelling at how Tendulkar, at 51 years outdated, may nonetheless replicate such magic. The second was a reminder of his unparalleled talent and talent to adapt to any scenario on the sphere.
Right here’s the video:
𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐓𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐥𝐤𝐚𝐫 Higher minimize! 🤌
Watch the Grand Finale 👉 LIVE now on @JioHotstar, @Colors_Cineplex & @CCSuperhits! 📺📲#IMLT20 #TheBaapsOfCricket #IMLonJioHotstar #IMLonCineplex pic.twitter.com/N7u94Tfp8h
— INTERNATIONAL MASTERS LEAGUE (@imlt20official) March 16, 2025
Additionally WATCH: Tino Finest and Yuvraj Singh interact in disagreement, Ambati Rayudu and Brian Lara intervene | Worldwide Masters League 2025 ultimate
Ambati Rayudu steals the present
Though Tendulkar was dismissed shortly after his spectacular shot for a brisk 25 off 18 balls, Rayudu ensured that India Masters remained on observe. Rayudu performed a match-winning knock of 74 runs off simply 50 balls, smashing 9 boundaries and three sixes. His calm and composed innings anchored India’s chase as they cruised towards victory.
India suffered minor hiccups when Yusuf Pathan was dismissed for a duck, however Stuart Binny (16*) and Yuvraj Singh (13*) sealed the win comfortably within the 18th over. Binny’s two towering sixes added an exclamation level to India’s triumph.