India Masters pipped Sri Lanka Master by four runs in a high-scoring thriller to kick off their campaign in the inaugural edition of the International Masters League T20 2025 (IML) at the DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai.

There was no shortage of excitement to the electrifying contest as the stalwarts of yesteryears from either side were right on the money treating the large audience which included former legendary former India cricketers of the likes of Sunil Gavaskar and Gundappa Viswanath as IML T20 2025 league commissioner and match refree, with vintage strokes, fiery spells, brilliant fielding and unforgettable moments as the masters of the game relived rivalries and rewrote history as the match went down to the wire.

The proceedings began with batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar being invited to bat by his opposite number Kumar Sangakkara, and the iconic batter getting India off to a flyer with a couple of boundaries, before rollicking half centuries from Stuart Binny and Yusuf Pathan, and cameos from Gurkeerat Singh Mann and Yuvraj Singh propelled the hosts to the massive total.

Opening the innings with Ambati Rayudu, Sachin walked up to the trademark thunderous applause from the jam-packed crowd, and reciprocated the love with two effortless boundaries in the first over off Isuru Udana before being dismissed.

Thereafter, Stuart Binny and Gurkeerat Singh Mann sent the Sri Lanka bowlers to the leather hunt, to raise an 87-run stand for the third wicket and set the tone. Binny blasted a 31-ball 68, laced with seven massive sixes and three boundaries while Mann missed his half century by six runs, but his 32-ball knock, containing seven fours ensured that the team reached 113 by the 12th over. After his departure, Yuvraj Singh joined Binny in the middle to add 33 runs.

There were glimpses of the vintage Yuvraj using the long handle to full use, as the southpaw mixed elegance with power, slamming a couple of sixes and fours for an unbeaten 22-ball 31, before Yusuf Pathan, the new man, outscored his partner with his lusty power-hitting. Going by his range of shots, it never appeared that Yusuf has retired from cricket as the Baroda right-hander smoked six breathtaking sixes and three boundaries for his unbeaten knock of 56 off 22 balls to power India to the gigantic total.

For the Sri Lanka Masters, Suranga Lakmal was the pick of the bowlers taking a couple of wickets even as none of the bowlers escaped the wrath of the India batters.

In response, skipper Sangakkara led Sri Lanka Masters’ chase with a graceful yet power-packed 30-ball 51, and more importantly set the platform with a 61-run second wicket stand with Lahiru Thirimanne, who came up with a 17-ball 24. However, Irfan Pathan’s introduction changed the complexion of the game in a couple of overs, as the left-arm quick accounted for three quick wickets, including the scalps of Sangakkara and Chaturanga de Silva off consecutive deliveries at the back of some excellent work in the outfield to apply the brakes.

Despite the setbacks, Asela Gunaratne (37 off 25 balls) and Jeevan Mendis (42 off 17) kept the tourists’ on the hunt with a 68-run stand for the sixth wicket before Dhawal Kulkarni broke the stand to bring some respite for the Indian dugout. Isuru Udana’s 7-ball 23, including a first ball six did tilt the tide in the favour of the visitors, before Vinay Kumar’s slower one brought the smiles back to the crowd.

The intensity of the match could be gauged by the fact that the equation was down to Sri Lanka needing nine runs off the final six deliveries, but Abhimanyu Mithun held his nerves to pick two wickets while conceding only five to script India’s victory.

In a post match Press conference Yusuf Pathan credited the all-round performance of his team mates for the exciting win, while sharing his views on his batting heroics. “ I have been always  known for my power hitting throughout my career and felt good that it could once again contribute to our team's competitive total which at one stage was far-fetched against our familiar rivals. DY Patil pitches are known for true bounce and pace, with the ball coming on it was easy for me to hit through the line”.

Coming at the fall of Stuart Binny wicket at the end of the 15th over, with 146 runs on the board, Yusuf who hit a six of the first ball off Suranga Lakmal (17^th over ) and Asela Gunaratne (18^th over) latter took on Isuru Udana in the penultimate over that yielded 29 runs in the company of Yuvraj. The senior Pathan smashed three sixes and two boundaries that ensured India crossed the 200 run mark and soon completed his fifty with a single in the final over off Lakmal not before hitting the bowler for a four and six en-route his unbeaten whirlwind knock of  56 off 22 balls.

He further credited his bowling unit led by his brother Irfan Pathan who defended well in the end. “Irfan took three crucial top order wickets backed by good fielding (Yuvraj Singh leaping high to catch a well set Lahiru Thirimanne, wicket keeper Ambati Rayudu diving to his left to sent back south paw Chaturanga de Silva for a golden duck in the very next ball) to get us back in the game. With the dew setting it was a challenging job for our bowlers particularly with the ball coming on to the bat, that saw our rivals score quick runs to make it a close contest. Abhimanyu Mithun after an indifferent start did well to defend nine runs while taking two wickets to ensure a narrow win,” added Yusuf Pathan.

Commenting on the fan following, Yusuf Pathan “ Happy to see a large crowd at the venue, who we hope enjoyed the high scoring thriller. The message for the young fans is not to give up and fight till the end, which I believe both teams did

Sri Lanka’s Jeevan Mendis while congratulating the India Master for the win on the other hand said, “ Happy to meet our Asian rivals against whom we have played some key contests. The tourney provides ex cricketers an opportunity to relive their youthful days and once again perform at a competitive level, after having been associated with the game over the years. Would like to congratulate the organisers of the International Masters League for such a multi-nation tourney. Have been active playing in local leagues. As far the game goes we were well in the striking range to win the tourney opener, but fell short narrowly in the end”

Player of the Match field Stuart Binny, who top scored with 31-ball 68 runs including three fours and seven sixes shared his thoughts on playing with old friends and competitors for India Masters in the International Masters League said, “ The main thing is that our friendships have never been forgotten. I think we all stayed friends after cricket as well. Everyone had different stages in their lives that they had to attend to. But as I said, coming back to playing for your country, that was number one for us. Again, to represent your country, not too many people get the chance after they retire. But here we are playing for our country again and strengthening our friendships again. Look, it's very special to play with Sachin sir and Yuvraj. But I think the most special thing for me is I'm back with my two Karnataka teammates ­­– Vinay Kumar and Abhimanyu Mithun. I think the three of us played for Karnataka for over 10 years. And we had a lot of success together. And it's nice to be playing now for the India Masters with the two Karnataka boys”.

Forty-year Stuart who has played six Test, 14 ODI and three T20I for India in his hay days, on the eve of the India Master match against England Master also shared his views on India’s performance against Pakistan in the Champions Trophy and predictions for the final,

“I think whenever Virat Kohli runs, everyone praises him. But he's always been a great player. Whether he's not got those big hundreds or not, he's always been a team man. And he's always kept India going. So, I enjoyed watching him bat when I played with him and even now on television. I think it's always special to win against Pakistan. Especially in an ICC event. But having said that, he's still got a game to go. Predictions are obvious; it's going to be tough. Conditions are going to be crucial over there. But I think we've got Kuldeep, we've got Jadeja, and we've got Axar as well. So, I think our bowling suits those conditions. And obviously the top-class batting,” added Stuart Binny, former Indian all-rounder.

Brief Scores:

India Masters - 222/4 in 20 overs (Stuart Binny 68 (31b: 3x4s, 7x6s), Yusuf Pathan 56*(22b: 3x4s, 6x6s), Gurkeerat Singh Mann 44 (32b: 7x4s), Yuvraj Singh 31*(22 (2x4s, 2x6s); Suranga Lakmal 2/34, Chaturanga de Silva 1/24, Isuru Udana 1/57) beat Sri Lanka Masters - 218/9 in 20 overs (Kumar Sangakkara 51 (30b: 8x4s, 1x6), Jeevan Mendis 42 (17b: 3x4s, 3x6s), Asela Gunaratne 37 (25b: 3x4s,1x6); Irfan Pathan 3/39, Dhawal Kulkarni 2/34, Abhimanyu Mithun 2/41) by 4 runs. Player of the Match: Stuart Binny (India)

Photo Cover: India Masters all-rounders Yusuf Pathan and Yuvraj Singh entertained the huge crowd by scoring 76 runs from the last five overs during their high scoring opening encounter against Sri Lanka Masters

Photo Above: India Masters led by legendary Sachin Tendulkar celebrate the wicket of Sri Lanka Master skipper Kumar Sangakkara by left arm pacer Irfan Pathan in the IML T20 2025 tourney opener (Photos by Ashok Dhamija)