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SPORTS FEBRUARY 21, 2025 | The Indian Eye 37

INTERNATIONAL MASTERS LEAGUE

Excitement in the air as Sachin

Tendulkar to lead India, Sangakkara

at helm for Sri Lankans

The IML is a celebration of cricket’s greatest icons, bringing Masters from India,

Sri Lanka, England, Australia, West Indies, and South Africa back onto the field.

The league is set to unveil the squads of the rest of the teams in the coming days

OUR BUREAU

Mumbai
ndia and Sri Lanka Masters squads unveiled
with Tendulkar, Sangakkara at helm. The Inter-
Inational Masters League (IML) 2025 is set to
bring an electrifying wave of nostalgia and excite-
ment as it unveils the India Masters and Sri Lanka
Masters squads, both of whom comprise cricketing
greats who once dominated and decorated the in-
ternational stage. With the tournament scheduled
from February 22 to March 16, 2025, fans will wit-
ness the revival of cricket’s golden era.
Indian cricket fans are in for a treat as Mas-
ter Blaster Sachin Tendulkar returns to lead the
India Masters. The squad is a formidable mix of
elegance, power, and match-winning prowess, fea-
turing some of the most celebrated names of the
2000s and 2010s. Batting brilliance returns with
Yuvraj Singh, the hero of the T20 World Cup in
2007 and fifty-over World Cup in 2011, alongside
Suresh Raina and Ambati Rayudu, who thrilled
fans with their fearless stroke-play. The Pathan
brothers, Irfan and Yusuf, will display their explo-
sive all-round skills, while Naman Ojha will take
charge behind the stumps, as per a press release
from IML. Former cricketers during an event of International Masters League to announce captains (ANI Photo)
The bowling attack comprises seasoned
match-winners, with Vinay Kumar and Dhaw- the field. We will produce tough cricket and do our the swashbuckling opener-keeper from Sri Lanka’s
al Kulkarni leading the pace attack. Players like best to win the title.” 1996 World Cup-winning squad.
Stuart Binny, Shahbaz Nadeem, Rahul Sharma, Yusuf Pathan added: “Irfan and I were mem- The batting line-up features Upul Tharanga,
Pawan Negi, Gurkeerat Singh Mann, and Abhi- bers of the Indian team that won the inaugural T20 Lahiru Thirimanne, and Chinthaka Jayasinghe,
manyu Mithun make this a well-rounded squad, World Cup in 2007. Memories of that tournament known for their reliability under pressure. Ashan
which is ready to reignite past rivalries and pro- will be rekindled in the days and weeks to follow, as Priyanjan and Asela Gunaratne bring in stability,
duce exhilarating cricket. we will take the field for India Masters in the inau- while the bowling attack is spearheaded by pacers
Speaking about playing in the inaugural edi- gural season of the International Masters League. Suranga Lakmal, Nuwan Pradeep, and Dhammi-
tion of the International Masters League, Irfan As had been the case in 2007, we will give it every- ka Prasad. All-round firepower comes from Seek-
Pathan said, “The International Masters League thing on the field and do whatever we can to win kuge Prasanna, Jeevan Mendis, Dilruwan Perera,
is a tournament that pays tribute to cricket’s gold- the tournament.” Chaturanga de Silva, and Isuru Udana, making Sri
en age. I am thrilled to represent India Masters in The Sri Lanka Masters, led by Kumar Sangak- Lanka a well-balanced force in IML 2025.
Season 1 of the league, and play alongside Sachin kara, promise a masterclass in skill and experience. The IML is a celebration of cricket’s great-
Tendulkar, the maestro, and other colleagues, with An ambassador of the game, Sangakkara was a est icons, bringing Masters from India, Sri Lanka,
whom I shared many happy and precious moments two-time fifty-over World Cup finalist in 2007 and England, Australia, West Indies, and South Africa
in the past. We are hosting the IML, but I can as- 2011 respectively, and a T20 World Cup winner in back onto the field. The league is set to unveil the
sure cricket fans that we will not be generous on 2014. He will be joined by Romesh Kaluwitharana, squads of the rest of the teams in the coming days.

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