India Masters have become the champions of the first season of the International Masters League T20 after making light work of West Indies in the final on Sunday, March 16.
The Sachin Tendulkar-led Indian team chased down a middling total of 149 after facing a few jitters in the final at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium, Raipur. Ambati Rayudu starred with the bat in the chase as he made 74 from 50 balls to help India win the tournament.
West Indies Master had won the toss and had opted to bat first. India Masters kept striking, however, Dwanye Smith held one end up and kept the scoreboard ticking. He made 45 from 35 balls as he was looking dangerous, however, the Indian spinners struck to pull the Windies back.
Lendl Simmons was looking threatening too. He cruised his way to 57 from 41 balls and was set to take the Windies to a stronger total, however, some mingy death over bowling from the Indian players saw the total being under 150.
India began the chase well. While Sachin Tendulkar was playing second fiddle, Ambati Rayudu took the game on. He slammed 74 from 50 balls, while Sachin made 25 from 18. His knock ensured India were always much ahead of West Indies. Stuart Binny and Yuvraj Singh also had some quality time spent as they took the Indian team home without much of an issue with six wickets in hand and 17 balls to go.
"We are gonna bat first. Over the last few days, we have seen little or no dew. I don't think the ball is going to be affected much. Runs on the board are very important to put pressure on the chasing team. Whenever India play, the crowd comes out. We want to put on a really great show tonight. My guys are totally up to it. We had a few niggles ahead of the final, but everyone has shown up. We are fielding the same team," Brian Lara had said at the toss.
"It's a good track, it does not matter (the toss). We need to do the job right whenever we bat or bowl. We look to restrict them for as less as possible. We are going with the same team today. We have not made any change," Sachin said at the toss.