On Thursday, the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur hosted the semi-final of the International Masters T20, where India Masters took on Australia Masters. Batting first, Sachin Tendulkar’s team put up a formidable total of 220 runs, powered by a vintage Yuvraj Singh masterclass. The 43-year-old left-hander lit up the Raipur Stadium with a blistering 59 off 30 balls, smashing seven towering sixes.
Yuvraj Singh’s Vintage Sixes in IML T20 Semi-final
Yuvraj set the tone early, launching Xavier Doherty for a six on just his second ball. He then took leg-spinner Bryce McGain to the cleaners in the 13th over, hammering three sixes in a single over. His knock evoked memories of the 2011 World Cup quarter-final, where he played a match-winning innings against the Aussies to take India to victory.
𝐘𝐮𝐯𝐫𝐚𝐣'𝐬 𝐬𝐢𝐱-𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 5️⃣0️⃣! 💪
His powerful display leads him to a remarkable half-century! ⚡🙌
Watch the action LIVE ➡ on @JioHotstar, @Colors_Cineplex & @CCSuperhits! #IMLT20 #TheBaapsOfCricket #IMLonJioHotstar #IMLonCineplex pic.twitter.com/QhJRdyh4zu
— INTERNATIONAL MASTERS LEAGUE (@imlt20official) March 13, 2025
The Raipur crowd was also treated to a fine 42-run contribution from Sachin Tendulkar. Stuart Binny (36), Yusuf Pathan (23), and Irfan Pathan (19) added quickfire cameos. Given Australia Masters’ strong form in the tournament, setting a target beyond 200 was crucial.
Shane Watson, the tournament’s leading run-scorer with over 300 runs, was expected to be Australia’s key batter, but India wasted no time in sending him back early. He fell to Vinay Kumar for just 5 runs, and his dismissal triggered a collapse in the Australian batting lineup.
Chasing 221 turned into an uphill battle, and Australia Masters crumbled under pressure, eventually being bowled out. With this emphatic win, India Masters stormed into the International Masters League T20 2025 final. The second semi-final between Sri Lanka Masters and West Indies Masters will take place tomorrow, with the winner set to face India in the title clash on March 16 at the same venue.
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The International Masters League began on February 22. Six teams competed in 15 league matches held across Navi Mumbai, Vadodara, and Raipur. The league features some of the game’s biggest legends, including Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara, Jacques Kallis, Kumar Sangakkara, and Yuvraj Singh, taking fans on a nostalgic ride.