Cricketing nostalgia was at its peak because the India Masters rode a power-packed half century from Yuvraj Singh and a four-wicket burst from left-arm spinner Shahbaz Nadeem to storm into the ultimate of the Worldwide Masters League (IML) 2025, after hammering the Australia Masters by 94 runs within the first semi-final. For Sachin Tendulkar’s males, this was greater than only a ticket to Sunday’s title conflict — it was an opportunity to settle outdated scores, and so they did it convincingly in entrance of a packed crowd on the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh Worldwide Stadium right here on Thursday.
The Raipur crowd erupted in anticipation as Sachin Tendulkar walked out to take cost of India Masters’ innings after being invited to bat by Australia Masters on a monitor tailored for batting, and the long-lasting batter turned again time with a brisk 42-run knock earlier than Yuvraj Singh’s classic hitting powered them to a frightening 220/7.
Unfazed by the early losses of Ambati Rayudu (5) and Pawan Negi (11), Tendulkar stood agency, rolling again the years with impeccable timing and magnificence. Each flick and drive reminded the world why he stays a timeless maestro as he displayed his signature drives, sweeps and flicks, to make sure the scoreboard stored transferring. On the different finish, Yuvraj Singh made an emphatic begin, launching a colossal six over mid-wicket to announce his arrival.
There was a short hush within the stadium when Tendulkar survived two anxious moments on 25 and 35, however as quickly because the hazard handed, the long-lasting “Sachin! Sachin!” chants reverberated louder than ever. With the duo in full stream, their 47-run partnership for the third wicket ensured a robust basis for a commanding complete.
Nonetheless, a few overs later, a hush fell over Raipur. Ben Hilfenhaus struck, bringing Tendulkar’s chic 30-ball knock, laced with seven boundaries, to an abrupt halt. With the grasp departing, it was time for an additional acquainted hero to take middle stage. Yuvraj Singh was at his classic finest, as he stepped on the accelerator, sending Bryce McGain into the stands thrice in a single over to convey up a whirlwind 26-ball fifty. New man Stuart Binny wasted no time in asserting his presence, cashing in on a reprieve on 11 off Hilfenhaus and discovering boundaries at will.
Simply when the Yuvraj-Binny duo appeared unstoppable, Doherty managed to silence the gang however not earlier than Yuvraj had hammered seven sixes and a 4 in a sensational 30-ball keep. But, the fireworks had been removed from over as Yusuf Pathan walked in and launched a towering six over lengthy on, whereas Binny ensured the onslaught continued as India raced to 199/4 by the 18th over.
The India Masters duo’s effort to go ballistic within the last two overs, nevertheless, didn’t bear fruit as Daniel Christian packed again each Binny and Yusuf Pathan in a span of 4 deliveries to use the brakes. By that point the right-handed pair had added 49 runs for the fifth wicket with Binny contributing with a 21-ball 36, laced with 5 hits to the fence and as soon as over it, whereas Yusuf slammed a 10-ball 23, powered by two sixes and a 4. Ultimately, Irfan Pathan’s 7-ball 19 propelled the house facet to the difficult complete.
In reply, Australia Masters’ chase was derailed by three fast wickets contained in the powerplay, with Vinay Kumar beginning off proceedings by eliminating the harmful Shane Watson (5) cheaply earlier than dismissing Shaun Marsh (21). Left-arm spinner Shahbaz Nadeem, who was most well-liked for the high-stakes encounter, proved to be a masterstroke, as he ran via the Australia Masters batting with an unbelievable spell of 4/15 off his 4 overs. Nadeem struck in his first over with the scalp of Ben Dunk (21), earlier than accounting for the wickets of Nathan Reardon (21), Nathan Coulter-Nile (0) and Ben Hilfenhaus (2) to place the guests on the again foot.
With Australia struggling at 49/3 after the powerplay, their troubles deepened when Stuart Binny made an on the spot influence, snaring Daniel Christian (2). Determined for stability, Reardon, coming off a half-century the earlier evening, seemed to revive the innings. He was handed a lifeline after Binny missed a pointy return catch, and the left-hander capitalized with a few crisp boundaries, momentarily igniting hopes of a fightback.
Nonetheless, these hopes had been swiftly dashed as Nadeem returned to ship a decisive blow, putting twice in consecutive deliveries. He first dismissed Reardon for a 14-ball 21, earlier than trapping Nathan Coulter-Nile off the very subsequent ball, decreasing Australia Masters to a precarious 74/6. Fellow left-arm spinner Pawan Negi then packed Steve O’Keefe for a duck whilst Ben Slicing raged a lone battle for his facet, earlier than finally being dismissed by Irfan Pathan for 39 to finish Australia’s hopes.
Temporary Scores: India Masters 220/7 (Sachin Tendulkar 42, Yuvraj Singh 59, Stuart Binny 36, Yusuf Pathan 23; Xavier Doherty 2/30, Daniel Christian 2/40) beat Australia Masters 126 all out (Ben Slicing 39, Ben Dunk 21, Shaun Marsh 21; Shahbaz Nadeem 4/15, Vinay Kumar 2/10, Irfan Pathan 2/31) by 94 runs.
