IML 2025: India Masters beat Australia Masters to reach final, Yuvraj Singh hits 7 sixes

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IML 2025: The India Masters stormed into the final of the International Masters League with a commanding 94-run victory over the Australia Masters in the first semifinal at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium, Raipur.

Yuvraj Singh was the star of the night, rolling back the years with a vintage knock of 59 runs off 30 balls, studded with seven sixes and a four. Left-arm spinner Shahbaz Nadeem also shone with a match-winning spell of 4/15, dismantling the Australian batting lineup.

Invited to bat first, India Masters got off to a steady start with captain Sachin Tendulkar leading the charge. The legendary batter played a classy 42-run knock, featuring his trademark drives and flicks, much to the delight of the packed stadium.

However, Australia found an early breakthrough as Ambati Rayudu (5) and Pawan Negi (11) departed cheaply. But Tendulkar, alongside Yuvraj, rebuilt the innings, sharing a crucial 47-run stand for the third wicket.

After Tendulkar's departure, Yuvraj Singh took center stage. The left-hander turned back time with his signature flamboyance, smashing Bryce McGain for three sixes in a single over en route to his 26-ball fifty. He received valuable support from Stuart Binny (36 off 21) and Yusuf Pathan (23 off 10), both of whom played attacking cameos to propel India to 220/7. Daniel Christian (2/40) and Xavier Doherty (2/30) were the best bowlers for Australia.

Chasing a steep target, Australia Masters struggled from the outset as Vinay Kumar removed Shane Watson (5) and Shaun Marsh (21) early. Nadeem then took control, removing Ben Dunk (21) before running through the middle order with scalps of Nathan Reardon (21), Nathan Coulter-Nile (0), and Ben Hilfenhaus (2). Stuart Binny and Pawan Negi added to Australia's misery with key wickets as the visitors crumbled under scoreboard pressure.

Ben Cutting (39) was the lone fighter, striking some lusty blows before falling to Irfan Pathan as Australia Masters folded for 126 in 17.3 overs. With this emphatic win, India Masters booked their place in the final, where they will face the winner of the Sri Lanka Masters vs West Indies Masters semifinal.

IML 2025 semifinal Brief Scores:

• India Masters 220/7 (Yuvraj Singh 59, Sachin Tendulkar 42, Stuart Binny 36; Xavier Doherty 2/30, Daniel Christian 2/40)
• Australia Masters 126 all out (Ben Cutting 39, Nathan Reardon 21; Shahbaz Nadeem 4/15, Vinay Kumar 2/10, Irfan Pathan 2/31