India Masters dominated the IML T20 Final on Sunday. They secured a six-wicket win over West Indies in Raipur. Led by Sachin Tendulkar, the team chased down 149 runs in just 17.1 overs.

Sachin’s Classic Shots Excite Fans

Although Sachin Tendulkar did not score big, he entertained fans with vintage strokes. He played his signature upper-cut with style. Meanwhile, in the final powerplay over, he faced Jerome Taylor and smashed a four and a six on consecutive balls. Consequently, the massive six reminded fans of his legendary shot against Shoaib Akhtar in the 2003 World Cup. In that World Cup match, India was chasing 274 runs. Tendulkar scored a brilliant 98 before Akhtar dismissed him. However, his aggressive start helped India secure victory. In the second over, he launched Akhtar’s short and wide ball over third man for a six. Then, he followed it up with two more boundaries. As a result, his fearless batting completely unsettled the Pakistani pacer.

Rayudu’s Heroics Seal India’s Win

As India chased 149 runs with ease, they reached 149/4 in just 17.1 overs. Notably, opener Ambati Rayudu played a match-winning knock. He smashed 74 runs off 50 balls, hitting nine fours and three sixes. Earlier, India’s bowlers set the stage for victory. In particular, Vinay Kumar took three wickets, restricting West Indies to 148/7 in 20 overs. Meanwhile, for the visitors, Lendl Simmons was the standout performer. He scored 57 runs off 41 balls.

Celebrations and Champions’ Reactions

After the win, India Masters took a victory lap. They thanked the passionate Raipur crowd for their support. Consequently, fans cheered as the cricket legends relived their glory days. Later, Yusuf Pathan expressed his excitement after the triumph. “It is always a special feeling to win the first edition of a tournament. The pressure of playing in the blue jersey is something else. You have the Indian logo, and that gives you a big responsibility. A lot of cricketers dream of sharing the dressing room with Sachin paaji. He has played so many years of cricket, a lot of cricketers call him 'God of Cricket.' There's a lot to learn from him actually,” he said. Overall, India Masters’ victory showcased skill and experience. It proved that cricket legends never fade.