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The cricketing world was treated to a moment of pure nostalgia on Sunday (March 16), as Sachin Tendulkar, the Master Blaster, rolled back the clock with his iconic upper-cut shot during the final of the International Masters League (IML T20) 2025.
Playing against West Indies Masters at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur, Tendulkar’s brilliance not only lit up the stadium but also became an instant sensation on social media. The shot evoked memories of his legendary upper cut against Shoaib Akhtar in the 2003 World Cup, a moment etched in cricketing history.
West Indies Masters stumble despite Lendl Simmons’ fight
The final began with West Indies Masters opting to bat first. However, their innings got off to a shaky start as Indian bowlers struck early. Legends Brian Lara and William Perkins were dismissed cheaply, both scoring just six runs. Dwayne Smith attempted to stabilize the innings with a quickfire 45 off 35 balls, but Shahbaz Nadeem’s disciplined bowling ended his stay.
Lendl Simmons emerged as the lone warrior for West Indies, scoring a gritty 57 off 41 balls. Despite his efforts, the Caribbean side managed only a modest total of 148/7 in their allotted 20 overs. India Masters’ bowlers were clinical, with Vinay Kumar leading the charge by taking three wickets for 26 runs. Nadeem (2/25) and Pawan Negi (1/24) also played pivotal roles in restricting the opposition.
Sachin Tendulkar’s upper cut against Jerome Taylor: A throwback to glory days
Chasing 149 for victory, India Masters got off to a solid start with Tendulkar and Ambati Rayudu forming a steady opening partnership. The highlight of the chase came in the sixth over when Jerome Taylor bowled a short-pitched delivery outside off-stump. Tendulkar, with his impeccable timing and precision, executed an upper cut that sailed over the third-man boundary for six. The crowd erupted in joy as they witnessed a shot reminiscent of Tendulkar’s iconic stroke against Akhtar in Centurion during the 2003 World Cup.
The shot quickly went viral on social media, with fans and cricket pundits marvelling at how Tendulkar, at 51 years old, could still replicate such magic. The moment was a reminder of his unparalleled skill and ability to adapt to any situation on the field.
Here’s the video:
𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐓𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐥𝐤𝐚𝐫 Upper cut! 🤌
Watch the Grand Finale 👉 LIVE now on @JioHotstar, @Colors_Cineplex & @CCSuperhits! 📺📲#IMLT20 #TheBaapsOfCricket #IMLonJioHotstar #IMLonCineplex pic.twitter.com/N7u94Tfp8h
— INTERNATIONAL MASTERS LEAGUE (@imlt20official) March 16, 2025
Also WATCH: Tino Best and Yuvraj Singh engage in war of words, Ambati Rayudu and Brian Lara intervene | International Masters League 2025 final
Ambati Rayudu steals the show
Although Tendulkar was dismissed shortly after his spectacular shot for a brisk 25 off 18 balls, Rayudu ensured that India Masters remained on track. Rayudu played a match-winning knock of 74 runs off just 50 balls, smashing nine boundaries and three sixes. His calm and composed innings anchored India’s chase as they cruised toward victory.
India suffered minor hiccups when Yusuf Pathan was dismissed for a duck, but Stuart Binny (16*) and Yuvraj Singh (13*) sealed the win comfortably in the 18th over. Binny’s two towering sixes added an exclamation point to India’s triumph.
