Sachin Tendulkar to lead India in International Masters League | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Legendary Sachin Tendulkar is all set to lead India in the upcoming International Masters League (IML), a tournament featuring retired cricket legends from around the world. The league aims to bring back iconic players for a competitive yet nostalgic format, giving fans the chance to see their favorite stars in action once again.
The highly anticipated league is set to take the cricketing world by storm, featuring legendary cricketers from six powerhouse nations — India, Sri Lanka, Australia, England, South Africa, and the West Indies — competing in a thrilling T20 franchise tournament.
The inaugural edition will run from November 17 to December 8, with the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai hosting the opening leg of four matches.
The tournament will kick off with a blockbuster clash between India and Sri Lanka, rekindling the rivalry between icons Sachin Tendulkar and Kumar Sangakkara.
In the second match, Shane Watson’s Australia will face Jacques Kallis’ South Africa, followed by Sri Lanka taking on Eoin Morgan’s England. The West Indies, led by Brian Lara, will also return to action to challenge Australia in what promises to be an exhilarating encounter.
On November 21, the action will move to the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow, where India will face South Africa.
Lucknow will host a total of six matches before the league shifts to the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium in Raipur on November 28, where India will meet England.
Raipur will be the stage for eight matches, including the semi-finals and the grand final on December 8, when the first-ever champions of the International Masters League will be crowned.
Captained by cricketing greats who enjoyed stellar careers, the teams will bring both nostalgia and fierce competition to the T20 format. With 18 electrifying matches lined up, the IML promises to capture the imagination of fans worldwide, blending legendary battles with high-energy cricket.
The captains in the International Masters League feature: India: Sachin Tendulkar, West Indies: Brian Lara, Sri Lanka: Kumar Sangakkara, Australia: Shane Watson, England: Eoin Morgan and South Africa: Jacques Kallis
“As the ambassador and face of the IML, I am looking forward to leading and representing India Masters in the league. The action on the field will no doubt be competitive and exciting. All the players are enthused at the prospect of playing the IML at multiple venues. It’s an opportunity to inspire the next generation while celebrating the sport that we all love,” said League Ambassador Tendulkar
“Stalwarts from every country will be playing the International Masters League. For them, it is a wonderful opportunity to showcase their skills and show the world that they are still very good. These guys don’t know what it is to take it easy. It is going to be an exciting league, with close contests. I am sure it will be worth a treat for all those who come to the ground and watch on the television,” League Commissioner Sunil Gavaskar said.