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.

India’s legendary batter Sachin Tendulkar shared a heartfelt message for Milind Rege’s family and friends following his demise on Wednesday. Former Mumbai captain Milind Rege passed away after suffering a heart attack, just days after celebrating his 76th birthday. His demise marked the loss of a stalwart who contributed immensely to Mumbai cricket, both as a player and an administrator. “Sad to hear about Milind Rege Sir’s passing. He was a true Mumbai cricketer with immense contributions to the city’s cricket. He and other CCI members saw potential in me and asked me to play for CCI, which, as I look back now, was a landmark moment in my career. He could pick out a talented player from a sea of hardworking hopefuls. He had a special sixth sense to pick talent at all levels, but especially at junior levels,” Tendulkar wrote in a post on X.

“He leaves behind a void, one that’s tough to fill. He may not be around, but his imprint on people’s lives will always live on. He made a difference to so many lives and definitely made a difference to mine. Thank you, Sir, for everything. Heartfelt condolences to his friends and family,” the post added.

Sad to hear about Milind Rege Sir’s passing. He was a true Mumbai cricketer with immense contributions to the city’s cricket. He and other CCI members saw potential in me and asked me to play for CCI, which, as I look back now, was a landmark moment in my career.

He could pick… pic.twitter.com/MD00ghszkW

— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) February 19, 2025

Rege’s career was a testament to his dedication and love for the game. As an off-spinner, he took 126 wickets in 52 first-class matches between the 1966-67 and 1977-78 seasons while also making significant contributions with the bat, scoring 1532 runs at an average of 23.56. However, his impact extended far beyond his playing days.

Post-retirement, Rege remained deeply involved with the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) in various capacities, eventually serving as the chief selector. His keen eye for talent played a crucial role in shaping Mumbai’s cricketing future, most notably when he was part of the selection panel that included a young Sachin Tendulkar in Mumbai’s Ranji Trophy squad in 1988.

Rege’s contributions were honoured in a touching tribute at the ongoing Ranji Trophy semi-final between Mumbai and Vidarbha in Nagpur. Before the start of the third day’s play, both teams observed a minute’s silence in his memory. Several Mumbai players, many of whom had earned their first-class caps under his selection committee, also wore black armbands as a mark of respect, reported ESPNcricinfo.

Beyond cricketing circles, Rege shared a deep bond with legendary cricketer Sunil Gavaskar, with the duo having studied at the same school and college before playing together at the Dadar Union Sporting Club. His resilience was exemplified when he made a comeback to cricket after suffering a heart attack at the age of 26. Even in his later years, his commitment to the sport never wavered, serving as an advisor to the MCA since 2020.

Though a debate over better players across eras remains a difficult one to justify, former India opening batter Virender Sehwag picked Virat Kohli as the No. 1 batter in ODI cricket history, ahead of his long-term teammate Sachin Tendulkar. Despite the fact that many reckon Tendulkar as the ‘God’ of cricket, a player who defined an era of cricket with his batting brilliance, Sehwag could only give him the No. 2 spot on his list. But, the former attacking opening batter did explain why he picked Virat over Sachin.

In a chat on Cricbuzz, Sehwag picked his top 5 batters in ODI cricket history. The list began with the legendary West Indies batter Chris Gayle, who was given the No. 5 spot. Gayle has a whopping 10480 runs to his name in the format in 304 appearances.

“Chris Gayle was a great batsman and opener. I remember India came to the West Indies in 2002-03, and Chris Gayle hit three centuries in a six-match series. He was the first player I saw at the international level who used to hit sixes from the back foot to fast bowlers,” he said.

The No. 4 spot was given to AB de Villiers, former South Africa captain, who aggregated 9577 runs in 228 ODIs over the course of his career. He was followed by ex Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq who scored 11739 runs in 350 innings.

“No. 4 is AB de Villiers. I really liked the way he used to play. He’s the only batsman who can hit sixes off-balance. No. 3 is Inzamam-ul-Haq. He’s one of the best ODI players from Asia. Inzamam used to come out to bat at No. 4 and used to control the match. So, I learned from him how to take the match to the end. How you can control the match. At that time, it was very difficult to chase seven or eight runs in an over. But Inzamam used to do it with a smile. Because he used to calculate when and who to hit sixes,” Sehwag added.

While there’s no denying the camaraderie that Sehwag has with Tendulkar, he still preferred to pick Kohli over the ‘God’ on the list.

“Everyone’s favourite and my role model, Sachin Tendulkar. You know how it feels to walk on the ground with him? You’re going to the jungle with a lion. Everyone’s eyes are on the lion. And I used to quietly make my runs,” said Sehwag on Tendulkar.

Sehwag firmly believes it is quite difficult that the cricket world will be able to see a player with as much consistency as Kohli in ODI cricket.

“Virat Kohli is at number one. Virat Kohli jaisa khiladi shayad he aane wale samay mein aisa consistent player aaye jisko ek tag diya gaya hai-Chasemaster. In the beginning, he wasn’t the Virat Kohli who he is today. He also took his time and learned a lot. And after 2011-12, he has changed a lot. In his fitness and in his consistency. He has played amazing innings,” Sehwag concluded.

The International Masters League (IML) 2025 is set to bring an electrifying wave of nostalgia and excitement as it unveils the India Masters and Sri Lanka Masters squads, both of whom comprise cricketing greats who once dominated and decorated the international stage. With the tournament scheduled from February 22 to March 16, 2025, fans will witness the revival of cricket’s golden era. Indian cricket fans are in for a treat as Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar returns to lead the India Masters. The squad is a formidable mix of elegance, power, and match-winning prowess, featuring 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 explosive all-round skills, while Naman Ojha will take charge behind the stumps, as per a press release from IML.

The bowling attack comprises seasoned match-winners, with Vinay Kumar and Dhawal Kulkarni leading the pace attack. Players like Stuart Binny, Shahbaz Nadeem, Rahul Sharma, Pawan Negi, Gurkeerat Singh Mann, and Abhimanyu Mithun make this a well-rounded squad, which is ready to reignite past rivalries and produce exhilarating cricket.

Speaking about playing in the inaugural edition of the International Masters League, Irfan Pathan said, “The International Masters League is a tournament that pays tribute to cricket’s golden age. I am thrilled to represent India Masters in Season 1 of the league, and play alongside Sachin Tendulkar, the maestro, and other colleagues, with whom I shared many happy and precious moments in the past. We are hosting the IML, but I can assure cricket fans that we will not be generous on the field. We will produce tough cricket and do our best to win the title.”

Yusuf Pathan added: “Irfan and I were members of the Indian team that won the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007. Memories of that tournament will be rekindled in the days and weeks to follow, as we will take the field for India Masters in the inaugural season of the International Masters League. As had been the case in 2007, we will give it everything on the field and do whatever we can to win the tournament.”

The Sri Lanka Masters, led by Kumar Sangakkara, promise a masterclass in skill and experience. An ambassador of the game, Sangakkara was a two-time fifty-over World Cup finalist in 2007 and 2011 respectively, and a T20 World Cup winner in 2014. He will be joined by Romesh Kaluwitharana, the swashbuckling opener-keeper from Sri Lanka’s 1996 World Cup-winning squad.

The batting line-up features Upul Tharanga, Lahiru Thirimanne, and Chinthaka Jayasinghe, known for their reliability under pressure. Ashan Priyanjan and Asela Gunaratne bring in stability, while the bowling attack is spearheaded by pacers Suranga Lakmal, Nuwan Pradeep, and Dhammika Prasad. All-round firepower comes from Seekkuge Prasanna, Jeevan Mendis, Dilruwan Perera, Chaturanga de Silva, and Isuru Udana, making Sri Lanka a well-balanced force in IML 2025.

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.

The 2011 World Cup-winning India star Yuvraj Singh penned a heartwarming note for his compatriot ‘Master Blaster’ Sachin Tendulkar, who was honoured with the Col. CK Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award at the BCCI Awards in Mumbai. ICC Chairman Jay Shah presented the Lifetime Achievement Award to the legendary batter at the BCCI’s annual ‘Naman Awards’ ceremony on Saturday. Yuvraj took to Instagram to congratulate Sachin, who showed a generation of cricketers that dreams are achieved with hard work and belief.

“Congratulations master on winning the CK Nayadu Lifetime Achievement Award. For every cricketer of our generation, you were the one who showed us that dreams are achieved with relentless hard work and unwavering belief,” Yuvraj wrote on Instagram.

“Your impact on the game and on all of us who had the privilege of sharing the field with you is immeasurable. Much love and respect always,” Yuvraj concluded.

Sachin, known as the ‘God of Cricket,’ is celebrated for his unparalleled skill and mastery in cricket, entertaining fans worldwide on the field of cricket from 1989 to 2013.

The Maharashtra-born player made his Test debut on November 15, 1989, at the age of 16, in front of a famed Pakistan pace attack in Karachi. He played his first ODI on December 18 of the same year.

With 34,357 runs in 664 international appearances at an average of 48.52, Sachin holds the highest run-scorer in international cricket.

He has 100 centuries and 164 half-centuries to his name, records unmatched in the sport’s history. Sachin was the first cricketer to achieve a double century in ODIs and played a record 200 Test matches.

In ODIs, he amassed 18,426 runs at an average of 44.83, including 49 centuries and 96 half-centuries. In Tests, he scored 15,921 runs at an average of 53.78, with 51 centuries and 68 fifties.

Sachin was also a part of India’s ICC Cricket World Cup-winning team in 2011, achieving his lifelong dream after his World Cup debut in 1992.

Despite the arch-rivalry, the mutual respect that Indian and Pakistan cricketers have for each other often comes to the fore. Their rivalries aside, the cricketers from both sides often praise each other. Once Virat Kohli said how fearsome it must have been to face Shoaib Akhtar in his heydays. The latter, on his part, often praised the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag for their fearless batting. Recently, at an event, Shoaib Akhtar met viral Dolly Chaiwala, a tea seller from Nagpur whose real name is Sunil Patil. The two had a fun-filled interaction.      

“Dolly have seen my matches?” Shoaib Akhtar tells Dolly. 

“Yes, I have seen many of your matches,” came the reply. 

“Did you have fun?” Akhtar asked again. 

“Yes sir. You are such a fast bowler, it seemed you are not bowling, but you are throwing the ball at somebody,” Dolly replied.   

“When I dismissed Sachin Tendulkar, did you feel bad?” Akhtar asked. 

“What can I do, It’s Sachin,” Dolly replied.

Ran into Dolly Chaiwala at the stadium. What a lovely character with an inspiring story pic.twitter.com/W7lJ1Usefc

— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) January 31, 2025

Shoaib Akhtar believes that Kohli will be back in form during the match against the Asian neighbour. He recalled Kohli’s famous Melbourne knock from 2022 T20 World Cup that the star batter played against Pakistan. “If you want to wake Virat Kohli up, tell him that there is a match against Pakistan. He will wake up. We have seen it often. He played a top knock in Melbourne. He will get up and running,” Akhtar told Aaj Tak.

Akhtar hopes for an evenly fought contest between India and Pakistan.

“India is a strong side. I would love to see Rohit, Kohli, Jasprit and all these guys to go out and perform their best, but I really want Pakistan to win.

“Imagine Virat Kohli scoring runs for India, Babar Azam scoring for Pakistan, Shaheen and Naseem bowling well for Pakistan, Jasprit Bumrah firing for India,” he said.

The legendary Sachin Tendulkar, whose batting records and impact on international cricket have stood the test of time, was on Saturday conferred with the Col CK Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award, while current India pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah was honoured with the Polly Umrigar Award for Best Men’s International Cricketer of 2023-24. The 51-year-old Tendulkar, who played 664 international games for India, holds the record for the highest number of Test and ODI runs in the history of the game. “Always value your game and take care of your game. I realised on that final day (2013) that I will never walk onto the field as a current India cricketer. Similarly, once you retire then you will realise where you were a few years ago,” Tendulkar said during the BCCI’s annual awards function.

“So enjoy your game as you have a lot of cricket left in you as current India cricketers and stay away from distractions.” Bumrah, who was selected as the ICC Test and overall Cricketer of the Year for delivering “a master-class in skill, precision, and relentless consistency”, was India’s standout bowler last year, playing a pivotal role in India’s home wins over England and Bangladesh.

The 31-year-old was also the Player of the Series against Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, bagging 32 wickets across five Tests.

Elegant batter Smriti Mandhana walked away with the Best International Cricketer of 2023-24 in women’s category.

Mandhana, who was the ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year, made 743 runs in the 2024 calendar year with four centuries.

The 28-year-old’s runs came at an average of 57.86 and an impressive strike rate of 95.15.

Spin great Ravichandran Ashwin, who retired from international cricket in December 2024 as India’s second highest wicket-taker in Tests with 537 dismissals and overall eighth highest, was bestowed with a special award.

“My fingers still itch as I realised when I came down the field for training because there is an IPL for me. The whole career has been a huge high for me actually, and it was a privilege to share the stage with Sachin Tendulkar, a dream for a boy who played street cricket in Chennai,” Ashwin said after receiving the award.

The 37-year-old Ashwin, who made his Test debut in November 2011, played a defining role in India’s 12-year domination in the longest format at home wherein they won 18 series on the trot.

Among newcomers, Mumbai batter Sarfaraz Khan grabbed the Best International Debut among men for his quick-fire fifty against England in the Rajkot Test in February 2024.

Among women, Asha Sobhana was given the award for Best International Debut as she picked up 4/21 against South Africa to help India win by 143 runs in their first ODI at Bengaluru in June 2024.

Mandhana was also honoured with the Highest Run Getter in ODIs medal after she finished as the highest run-scorer in 2024, smacking 747 runs at 57.46 in 13 matches with four tons and one fifty.

Experienced off-spinner Deepti Sharma was awarded with the Highest Wickets in ODIs medal for taking 24 wickets in 13 matches.

Tanush Kotian continued to make waves with his rise through the ranks in Mumbai in the 2023-24 season, which culminated with his maiden call-ups for the India A side for their tour of Australia and subsequently for the Indian team for the last two Tests of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Kotian was awarded with the Best Performance in the BCCI Domestic Tournaments trophy.

The 26-year-old scored 502 runs in 10 matches at 41.83 with one century and five fifties and also grabbed 29 wickets.

The Mumbai Cricket Association was given the Best Performance in BCCI Domestic Tournaments Trophy.

Having won the Ranji Trophy for a record-extending 42nd time in the season, Mumbai also claimed the Irani Cup after a gap of 27 years.

Mumbai also won various titles such as Ranji Trophy, U-16 Vijay Merchant Trophy, U-14 West Zone Championship, senior women’s T20 Trophy, women’s U-19 One Day Trophy, Bapuna Cup T20 Tournament and men’s U-19 All India tournament.

Mumbai teams also finished as runner-up in Cooch Behar U-19 Trophy and Vinoo Mankad U-19 Trophy.

Akshay Totre from Indore was adjudged the Best Umpire in Domestic Cricket for the season.

Karun Nair has opened up on his snub from India’s squad for the Champions Trophy.© X (Twitter)

The legendary Sachin Tendulkar, whose batting records and impact on international cricket have stood the test of time, will be conferred with the BCCI’S Lifetime Achievement Award at the Board’s annual gala here on Saturday. The 51-year-old Tendulkar, who played 664 international games for India, holds the record for the highest number of Test and ODI runs in the history of the game. “Yes, he will be the recipient of the C K Nayudu Lifetime Achievement Award for the year 2024,” a Board source told PTI.

Tendulkar’s 200 Test and 463 ODI appearances are also the highest by any player in the history of the game. He amassed 15,921 Test runs besides a whopping 18,426 in ODIs.

However, he played only one T20 International in his stellar career.

In 2023, the lifetime honour was bestowed on former India head coach Ravi Shastri and wicket-keeping great Farokh Engineer.

Considered the greatest batter of his era, Tendulkar was not just a prolific run-scorer but also an icon of the game, who played for more than two decades after debuting as a 16-year-old in a 1989 Test against Pakistan.

The well-documented and numerous batting records apart, Tendulkar was also a key member of India’s 2011 World Cup-winning team, which was his record sixth and last appearance in the showpiece.

At his peak, the diminutive right-hander could bring the nation to a standstill by simply walking out to bat.

His dismissal was the most sought after among opposition teams, who did not hesitate to say that Tendulkar was the only Indian batter who could intimidate them.

Overall, Tendulkar will be the 31st recipient of the award, which was instituted in 1994 in the honour of India’s first captain Col. C K Nayudu, who also served the game as an administrator.

Nayudu had a 47-year-long first-class career between 1916 and 1963, which is a world record.

Veteran batter Steve Smith completed his 10,000 Test run with his first scoring shot on day 1 of the first Test against Sri Lanka here at Galle International Stadium on Wednesday. The stand-in skipper became the fourth Australian man to reach a rare milestone and the overall 15th man to achieve the feat. The 35-year-old joined Allan Border, Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting as Australians to get to 10,000 Test runs. Interestingly, all three were captains of the Test team when they made their 10,000th run.

Flicking left-arm spinner Prabath Jayasuriya for a single to mid-on in his 205th innings, the fifth fastest batter by innings to reach 10,000 Test runs.

In terms of matches, only Brian Lara (111) has gotten to the milestone in fewer Tests than Smith’s 115. Lara, Sachin Tendulkar, Kumar Sangakkara (all took 195 Tests) and Ricky Ponting (196) are the only batters to have reached it in fewer innings.

Among Aussies, only former captain Ricky Ponting has crossed the milestone quicker in only 196 innings.

Smith has compiled his runs at an average of over 55, with Kumar Sangakkara the only batter beyond the 10,000 figure with a better return (57.40). Among active players, only Joe Root’s tally of 12,972 Test runs is higher than Smith’s.

Having missed his fairytale moment in front of his home crowd at the SCG against India when he was dismissed with his career tally on 9,999 runs, Smith scored his 10,000th run on the first ball he faced on Wednesday.

The right-hander came to bat at 137/2 in the opening session and hit a single to mid-on off Prabath Jayasuriya, earning applause from the crowd, before sharing a hug with his batting partner, Usman Khawaja.