India Masters, led by Sachin Tendulkar have become world champions again after they defeated West Indies by six wickets in the final of the International Masters League (IML) at Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur. Ambati Rayudu shone with a match winning 74 runs as India Masters made the target of 149 runs look like a cake walk and finished the game in 17.1 overs.
Batting first, West Indies posted a total of 148 runs for the loss of seven wickets. Opener Dwayne Smith played a knock of 45 runs off 35 balls hitting six fours and two sixes, while Lendl Simmons top scored with 57 runs off 41 with five fours and a six. For India Masters, Vinay Kumar took three wickets, Shahbaz Nadeem took two, while Pawan Negi and Stuart Binny scalped a wicket each.
Ambati Rayudu guide India Masters to easy win
Coming to chase the winning total, India Masters got a flying start as Ambati Rayudu and skipper Sachin Tendulkar put up a partnership of 67 runs for the first wicket in 7.5 overs. Sachin got out after scoring a quickfire 25 runs off 18 balls hitting two fours and a six. After that, Rayudu took charge of the innings and top scored with 74(50) to guide India Masters to a convincing win.
After that, Gurkeerat Singh Man, Yuvraj Singh, Stuart Binny contributed with 14, 13 and 16 runs respectively as India Masters chased the target in 17.1 overs losing four wickets. For West Indies Masters, Ashley Nurse took two wickets while Sulieman Benn and Tino Best scalped a wicket each.
