Raipur: The highly anticipated final of the International Masters League (IML) T20 2025 is underway today, March 16, between the India Masters and the West Indies Masters at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur. Both teams are vying for the prestigious title after impressive performances in their respective semifinal matches.
India Masters, led by legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, stormed into the final after a massive 94-run victory over Australia Masters in the first semifinal. On the other hand, West Indies Masters, captained by the iconic Brian Lara, secured their spot in the final by narrowly defeating Sri Lanka Masters by 6 runs in a thrilling encounter.
West Indies Opt to Bat First After Winning Toss
Brian Lara won the toss and elected to bat first in this high-stakes clash. However, West Indies had a shaky start, losing their first wicket at just 35 runs. Despite the early setback, the Caribbean side managed to post a competitive total of 148/7 in their allotted 20 overs.
The highlight of the West Indies innings was an explosive knock from Lendl Simmons, who scored a brilliant 57 runs off 41 balls, including five fours and one six. Simmons held the innings together and provided much-needed stability after early wickets.
Alongside Simmons, Dwayne Smith played a crucial innings, contributing 45 runs, which helped West Indies reach a competitive score.
Vinay Kumar Stars with the Ball for India
For India Masters, veteran pacer Vinay Kumar delivered a stellar performance with the ball. He picked up 3 wickets to put West Indies under pressure. Shahbaz Nadeem also impressed, taking 2 wickets and maintaining tight control over the run rate.
India Need 149 Runs to Lift the Trophy
With West Indies setting a target of 149 runs to win, India Masters now face a challenging but achievable task. The Indian batting lineup, under the leadership of Sachin Tendulkar, is known for its strength and depth.
Both teams are aiming to claim the coveted IML T20 title, making this final an intense and thrilling contest. The cricketing world is now eagerly waiting to see if India Masters can chase down the target and secure the championship or if West Indies Masters can defend their total and emerge victorious.
