International Masters League: India vs Australia Review – India dominate Australia to secure a spot in the final

The India Masters secured a commanding 94-run victory over the Australia Masters in the first semifinal of the International Masters League (IML) 2025, held at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur on Thursday.

Opting to bat first on a favorable pitch, India Masters posted a formidable total of 220/7 in their allotted 20 overs. The innings was anchored by Yuvraj Singh, who delivered a scintillating performance, scoring 59 runs off just 30 balls, including seven towering sixes. Skipper Sachin Tendulkar also contributed significantly with a brisk 42 off 30 deliveries, showcasing his timeless elegance. Stuart Binny added momentum with a quickfire 36, while Yusuf Pathan’s explosive 23 off 10 balls further bolstered the total.

In response, the Australia Masters struggled to find their footing, losing wickets at regular intervals. Left-arm spinner Shahbaz Nadeem was the standout bowler for India, delivering an exceptional spell of 4 wickets for just 15 runs in his four overs. Vinay Kumar provided crucial breakthroughs early on, dismissing the dangerous Shane Watson and Shaun Marsh. Despite a valiant 39-run effort from Ben Cutting, the Australian innings folded for 126 runs in 18.1 overs, falling well short of the target.

This victory propels the India Masters into the IML 2025 final, where they await the winner of the second semifinal between the Sri Lanka Masters and West Indies Masters. The final is scheduled to take place at the same venue on Sunday, promising an exciting conclusion to the tournament.

The match not only highlighted the enduring talent of cricketing legends but also provided fans with a nostalgic experience reminiscent of classic encounters from yesteryears. The India Masters’ all-round performance underscores their readiness for the forthcoming final, setting the stage for a thrilling climax to the IML 2025.