The highly-anticipated International Masters League (IML) unveiled its magnificent trophy in the presence of the icons who will lead their respective teams in the inaugural edition. India’s cricket icon and Bharat Ratna Sachin Tendulkar was joined by Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara, West Indies maestro Brian Lara, England’s World Cup-winning captain Eoin Morgan, Australia’s Shane Watson and South Africa’s Jonty Rhodes, who represented captain Jacques Kallis, at the Captains’ Day, which was held at the DY Patil University campus on Wednesday.

The IML is set to capture the imagination of cricket fans by providing a thrilling experience of high-octane action, featuring stalwarts of the sport.  India Masters and Sri Lanka Masters will play the opening fixture of the IML at the D.Y. Patil Stadium on Saturday, February 22.

Sachin Tendulkar, captain of India Masters, said, “Stepping back onto the cricket field is like returning to the place that has given me my identity as a sportsperson. Reuniting with my former teammates and peers, reliving our experiences, and sharing our cherished memories is truly special. I am as excited today as I was on the day of my debut to represent our country, and I have no doubt that every player shares the same passion to play the game we all love, once again.”

Brian Lara, captain of West Indies Masters: “I’m truly excited to be back in India, a country that has always felt like a second home to me. Its vibrant culture and the passion of its diverse fans make playing here an unforgettable experience. Taking the field once again with old friends in the International Masters League is something I deeply look forward to, and I can’t wait to reignite some of our fabled rivalries. The stage is set, the energy is electric, and I’m ready for the action!”

Kumar Sangakkara, captain of Sri Lanka Masters: “I’m delighted to be part of this incredible competition. Cricket is a huge part of my life, and having the chance to play alongside some of the greatest ambassadors of the game makes the IML even more special. I can’t wait for that opening match against India Masters-it’s going to be a fantastic contest!”

Shane Watson, captain of Australia Masters, said: “India has always been one of my favourite countries, and the love and support I’ve received here is second to none. I’m really chuffed to be playing in the International Masters League, sharing the field once again with friends and old colleagues. It’s going to be a riveting contest, and I know India will be a tough opponent-but we’ve got a strong squad, and we’re ready for the challenge!”

Eoin Morgan, captain of England Masters, said: “The International Masters League is going to be an exciting tournament, and I can’t wait to regroup with the boys and get back out there. India is a cricket-loving nation where fans truly worship the game, making it the perfect place for a tournament like this one. I’ve been training hard to ensure we deliver the goods, and fingers crossed for a great outing!”

Jonty Rhodes (Representing Jacques Kallis for South Africa Masters), said, “It’s no secret how special India is to me. Playing here has always been an incredible experience, and I’m thrilled to be back for the International Masters League. We’ve assembled a strong squad, and I’m confident we’ll have a fantastic time. This will be a truly special competition, and while we’re hoping for the best results, I am excited to be back on the field!”

The unveiling of the International Masters League trophy symbolizes the commencement of a cricketing spectacle that will celebrate the rich legacy of the sport.

It was announced during the Captains’ Day that entry for students and senior citizens to the stadium for the opening game was free. _Students would have to present a valid ID card from their current college or university, while senior citizens would have to carry a government-issued senior citizen card. Entry will be denied at the gate if a valid and authentic ID proof is not provided.

Match tickets are available on BookMyShow, the ticketing partner.

Watch the IML February 22nd onwards, live on JioHotstar along with Colors Cineplex (SD & HD) and Colors Cineplex Superhits will broadcast the IML live, 7.30 pm onwards.

File image of Jonty Rhodes© BCCI

File photo of Jonty Rhodes© X (Twitter)

Former South Africa cricketer and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) fielding coach Jonty Rhodes called IPL 2024 spearhead pacer Mayank Yadav “Rolls Royce” of the IPL franchise. The pacer, a product of Delhi’s Sonnet Cricket Club, gained the attention of the cricket fraternity with his raw pace in his debut match against Punjab Kings (PBKS). The Delhi-bound pacer continuously bowled above 145 and returned with a figure of 3 for 27 with a top speed of 155.8 km/h. In the four matches that he played for the franchise in 2024, Mayank picked four wickets with an economy of 6.99. However, he suffered the injury against Gujarat Titans at the BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium and walked off the field due to a side strain, which was further confirmed as lower abdomen soreness which resulted in him being out of the play for whole season.

“I’m not a bowling coach, but Morne Morkel, during the previous season, when Mayank got injured at the start of the preparation, literally Morne said, ‘Wow, this guy (Mayank Yadav), he’s like the Rolls Royce of bowlers, similar to how we used to call Allan Donald a Rolls Royce. He is LSG’s Rolls Royce.

“He had a whole season with the team and that’s why the owners decided to keep him with the team, he did all his rehab throughout the IPL, and stayed a part of the unit because we really believe that he is a young guy with extreme talent and we saw him in the games that he played and and everybody was really monitoring him not wrapping him in cotton wool,” Rhodes told IANS.

Mayank also holds the record of the fastest delivery of IPL 2024, at 156.7 kmph, which came in the clash against RCB at Bengaluru. Frequent injuries have put hurdles in Mayank’s cricketing journey so far. He missed IPL 2023 due to an injury sustained in a practice session and had to miss the 2023/24 Ranji Trophy entirely because of an injury, for which he underwent rehabilitation in Mumbai.

“But monitoring his workload and understanding that he is a guy that doesn’t need to bowl 30 minutes every day in the nets, he just needs to topup to make sure that he from a mental and emotional point of view feels that he’s ready because he is raw talent. We saw what happened with Umran Malik who burst onto the scenes at sheer pace we all got excited, but you know the question is can the player bowl to the game plan that’s because they’re bowling some of the best batters in the world and sometimes on really good surfaces so if you’ve just got pace and you can’t bowl in good areas or with good skill, the better players will hit you out the ground,” said Rhodes.

“So I think from a point of view where LSG haven’t worried about, or haven’t gone, let’s wrap him in cotton wool, because then he comes to the game, you never know what’s going to happen. But the preparation is key and hopefully, you know, through the season when the off season and now the season again by the time he comes to IPL and if he’s playing with LSG again or even if he’s not playing for LSG I just hope Mayank is bowling and is fit for the whole IPL because there’s a talent that is exciting,” he concluded.

South Africa cricket legend Jonty Rhodes believes the Indian team will only become stronger under new head coach Gautam Gambhir, and said the former opener has the ability to make an instant impact in any side. “Wherever GG (Gautam Gambhir) goes he makes an impact, we saw this when he left the Lucknow Super Giants and went to the Kolkata Knight Riders the impact that he had,” Rhodes told PTI videos at the Pro Cricket League launch event on Saturday.

“He is very much a hands-on guy and is certainly somebody who knows what he wants and speaks his own mind.

“Gambhir leaves no stone unturned, and now that he has taken over the reigns of the Indian team, they will go from strength to strength,” he added.

Rhodes, who is the fielding coach of Lucknow Super Giants, also lauded Zaheer Khan’s appointment as mentor of the IPL side.

He said Zaheer’s calm head will help the side get through tense situations during a game.

“A calm cricketing mind is what you need at the IPL level, especially in the dugout scenario. You need people with calm heads because it gets very tense.

“If emotions start to get the better of you it impacts everybody sitting in the dug-out or on the field. In such situations, it is great to have someone like Zak (Zaheer), because he brings the skills and the knowledge, and he also brings the mojo,” he said.

“We have worked together at Mumbai Indians and he is technically very sound indeed.” Rumours are doing rounds that Rohit Sharma is set to replace KL Rahul in LSG.

“I spent a lot of time with Rohit Sharma at the Mumbai Indians and I am just so grateful that had I had an opportunity to watch him play there. The changes, if there are, will not be my decision and I am not worried about them right now,” Rhodes said.

Rhodes also compared young LSG batter Ayush Badoni with former Proteas batting great Herschelle Gibbs after the latter broke the record for smashing most number of sixes (19) by a batter in a single innings of a T20 game in the ongoing Delhi Premier League.

“He is a precocious talent that is for sure, he is short so he has got a low centre of gravity. He gets under the good length deliveries he can hit it anywhere around the ground, he has such fast hands. Justin Langer was so impressed with the sheer talent that he has,” he said.

“He reminds me a bit of Herschelle Gibbs. He has tremendous hitting ability and when he matches that with calmness, presence of mind, good game plan, he will become a really tough guy to bowl to because he can play both conventional and unconventional shots with ease.”

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) fielding coach Jonty Rhodes addressed the speculation building around India captain Rohit Sharma joining the franchise for the next Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season. As the mega auction for the IPL 2025 season inches closer, uncertainty over Rohit’s future continues to loom around him. In recent times speculations over Rohit potentially moving away from Mumbai Indians continue to grow rapidly. Rhodes, who has closely monitored the seasoned batter’s progress during their time together with the five-time IPL champions, the former South African cricketer had nothing but praise for the dynamic opener.

“I mean, for a long time at Mumbai Indians, I felt I had the best job in the world. I got to watch Rohit Sharma practice and play cricket. He is so elegant,” Rhodes told ANI.

Even though Rhodes is in awe of the way Rohit exudes elegance on the field, Rhodes doesn’t feel that the presence of Rohit is compulsory for LSG in their pursuit of success.

“I mean, there’s the balance of teams, who’s in the side. I love watching Rohit Sharma bat, but I’m not saying he must come in and replace, and then suddenly we change our setup. So whatever, as I said, whatever happens, who is ever there? I’ll be doing my best to support,” he added.

Apart from the reports about Rohit’s future, the peculiar situation of the franchise skipper KL Rahul has also been in the limelight.

The rumour mill suggests that Rahul is unlikely to play another match in LSG colours after franchise owner Sanjiv Goenka seemingly rebuked the wicketkeeper batter following their loss against Sunrisers Hyderabad.

When quizzed about Rahul’s future, Rhodes was glad that he wasn’t going to be the one making decisions over the retention of players.

“Well, luckily, hypothetically, or in real life, that’s as a fielding coach. I don’t have to worry about that just now,” he added.

Regarded as one of the best fielders in the history of the sport, Rhodes continues to be involved in cricket years after bringing the curtain down on his career.

Rhodes is still trying out different cricketing roles apart from coaching. He was named as the brand ambassador of the inaugural season of the Pro Cricket League (PCL).

While talking about embarking on a new adventure, Rhodes is still keen to improve his skills as a human being.

“I think what a learning curve is seeing if I can sit off the field. As a coach, you don’t get involved during the game, but it leads to a part of the buildup, part of the preparation. So I will have to see if I have got the patience to be able to sit and watch the whole thing to still be able to do a little bit of coaching, but yeah, a very new role, and it’s a part of evolving as an individual. As a cricket player, you always evolve. You have to work on your technique and your skills, so yes, I’m trying to improve my skills as a human being,” he stated.

Representative image© AFP

Jonty Rhodes joked that Deepak Hooda deliberately dropped Ravindra Jadeja’s catch.© X (Twitter)