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Legendary batter Sachin Tendulkar is set to return to cricket with the inaugural edition of the International Masters League (IML). The IML would be a six-team T20 tournament to be held across three venues, and will feature players from India, Australia, South Africa, West Indies, England and Sri Lanka. The tournament is expected to be played in Mumbai, Lucknow and Raipur. IML has been co-founded by Tendulkar as well as former India captain Sunil Gavaskar, who will also be the league commissioner.
According to a release, both legendary batters are set to collaborate with PMG Sports and a sports marketing company, SPORTFIVE, to establish another company for the league. With the league, Tendulkar and Gavaskar aim to revive old rivalries and celebrate the golden era of cricket. Unlike most of the recent tournaments, the IML aims to focus on high-level competition and ensure a serious and engaging gameplay for both players and fans.
Sunil Gavaskar and Sachin Tendulkar express excitement
Former India cricketers expressed their excitement ahead of the IML launch. Tendulkar said that sportspersons never retire at heart. Tendulkar said in an interview, "Cricket continues to grow in popularity not just in India, but across the world. T20 cricket has accelerated this growth, and fans are eager to witness the old battles again. Sportspersons never retire at heart, and the competitive streak in us remains strong.”
On the other hand, Gavaskar said, "T20 cricket has brought a new dynamic to the game, and it presents an amazing opportunity to relive the magic we all love. The IML is more than a tournament—it’s a celebration of cricketing nostalgia. We’re offering fans a unique opportunity to reconnect with their heroes and create new memories.”
