IML 2025: India Masters secure thrilling Win by 7 runs against West Indies, qualify for Semifinals

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India Masters secured a thrilling seven-run victory over West Indies Masters in Raipur on Saturday.

The home side, led by stand-in skipper Yuvraj Singh, put on a commanding batting display before Stuart Binny's three-wicket burst and Irfan Pathan's composed final over secured the win in a high-scoring encounter.

Opting to bat first after Brian Lara won the toss, India Masters got off to a flying start with Ambati Rayudu (63 off 35) and Saurabh Tiwary (60 off 32) forging a 94-run opening stand. Rayudu dominated the West Indies spinners, smashing eight fours and four sixes before falling to Sulieman Benn. Tiwary carried the momentum forward, building a 79-run partnership with Gurkeerat Singh Mann (46). Despite Gurkeerat falling just short of a fifty, Yuvraj Singh's blistering 49* off 20 balls and Yusuf Pathan's late cameo (14* off 6) propelled India to a mammoth 253/3.

West Indies Masters responded in kind, with Dwayne Smith (79 off 34) and William Perkins (52 off 23) setting the stage with a blistering 121-run stand. Smith tore into the Indian bowlers, hammering seven fours and six sixes before Stuart Binny's clever knuckleball ended his carnage. Pawan Negi then provided a crucial breakthrough by dismissing the aggressive Perkins. Lendl Simmons (38 off 12) kept the chase alive with a stunning 34-run over off Rahul Sharma, but Negi struck back to dismiss him.

With West Indies needing 24 off the final over, Pathan held his nerve, despite a boundary from Lara, to restrict them to 246/6. Binny's 3/30 proved pivotal, while Negi and Pathan delivered under pressure, ensuring India Masters sealed a thrilling win.

Brief Scores

India Masters 253/3 (Ambati Rayudu 63, Saurabh Tiwary 60, Yuvraj Singh 49 not out, Gurkeerat Singh Mann 46) beat West Indies Masters 246/6 (Dwayne Smith 79, William Perkins 52, Lendl Simmons 38; Stuart Binny 3/13, Pawan Negi 2/27) by 7 runs.