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Rayudu's brilliance seals IML title for India Masters

Rayudu's brilliance seals IML title for India Masters

Raipur, Mar 17 (UNI) A commanding 74-run knock from Ambati Rayudu and a clinical bowling display by Vinay Kumar and Shahbaz Nadeem propelled India Masters to a resounding six-wicket victory over West Indies Masters in the final of the International Masters League T20 (IML) 2025 on Sunday.

India's disciplined bowling effort restricted West Indies to 148/7, setting up a comfortable chase that Rayudu orchestrated with ease, ensuring victory inside 18 overs.

Chasing 149, India Masters made an explosive start, with Rayudu and Sachin Tendulkar leading the charge. By the end of the powerplay, they had surged to 55 without loss. Tendulkar, taking on Jerome Taylor, struck a six and a four in the sixth over, while Rayudu dictated the early pace.

Tendulkar fell in the eighth over for 25, caught at the boundary off Tino Best, but Rayudu remained unfazed. He reached his half-century in just 34 balls, continuing to dominate the West Indies attack. Gurkeerat Mann (14) departed in the 12th over to Ashley Nurse, who struck again moments later, trapping Yusuf Pathan lbw for a duck.

Despite the quick setbacks, Rayudu’s fluent stroke play—featuring nine fours and three sixes in his 50-ball 74—kept India in firm control. His dismissal in the 15th over off Sulieman Benn left India needing just 22 runs, which Yuvraj Singh (13*) and Stuart Binny (16*) knocked off comfortably, sealing victory with 17 balls to spare and securing India Masters’ maiden IML title in emphatic fashion.

Opting to bat first, West Indies Masters, led by Brian Lara, got off to a steady start. Dwayne Smith showed early aggression, but Lara’s departure in the fourth over, cutting Vinay Kumar to Pawan Negi at backward point, was an early blow.

William Perkins joined Smith but managed only six runs before falling to Nadeem. Smith, however, continued his attacking approach, smashing six fours and two sixes in a brisk 35-ball 45. Nadeem struck again, bowling Smith in the ninth over to leave West Indies at 67/3.

Lendl Simmons attempted to anchor the innings, but wickets fell around him. Ravi Rampaul was trapped lbw by Stuart Binny, while Chadwick Walton perished to Negi, reducing West Indies to 85/5 in the 12th over.

Simmons played a vital knock of 57 off 41 balls, forging a crucial 61-run partnership with Dinesh Ramdin.

However, Vinay Kumar’s return in the final over sealed West Indies’ fate, dismissing Simmons and Ashley Nurse to finish with figures of 3/26 in three overs. Nadeem’s exceptional spell of 2/12 in four overs further stifled the opposition.

India Masters’ comprehensive victory highlighted their all-round dominance, with Rayudu’s brilliance and the bowling duo of Kumar and Nadeem proving instrumental in their title triumph.

UNI BDN ARN

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