The International Masters League (IML) is set to enthral cricket fans by bringing together legendary cricketers from six powerhouse nations—India, Sri Lanka, Australia, England, South Africa, and West Indies. This inaugural T20 franchise tournament will take place from November 17th, 2024, to December 8th, 2024, promising fans a thrilling mix of nostalgia and high-intensity cricket. The tournament will open at the iconic D.Y. Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, hosting the first four matches.
The highly anticipated India vs. Sri Lanka match on November 17th will kick off the league, reigniting memories of the fierce Sachin Tendulkar vs. Kumar Sangakkara duels. This opener will be followed by a series of exciting matchups, including Shane Watson’s Australia taking on Jacques Kallis’ South Africa and a face-off between Sri Lanka and Eoin Morgan’s England. Cricket fans are also eagerly awaiting a classic showdown as Brian Lara’s West Indies meet Australia.
After the opening matches, the action will shift to Lucknow’s Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee (BRSABV) Ekana Cricket Stadium from November 21st. India will square off against South Africa in what is expected to be a pivotal match in the league.
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Six matches will be held in Lucknow before the tournament moves to Raipur, where Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium will host eight games, including the semi-finals and final. The grand final on December 8th will determine the first-ever champions of the IML. The IML will see some of the most iconic cricketers of the modern era captaining their respective nations, each bringing vast experience and competitive fire to the tournament. The captains include:
– India: Sachin Tendulkar
– West Indies: Brian Lara
– Sri Lanka: Kumar Sangakkara
– Australia: Shane Watson
– England: Eoin Morgan
– South Africa: Jacques Kallis
Sachin Tendulkar, who serves as both the captain of the India Masters and the league ambassador, expressed his excitement: “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.”
Intl Masters League Starts from Nov 17
Mark the Dates, We are going to witness 𝗦𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻 𝗧𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘂𝗹𝗸𝗮𝗿 on the field again 💙💥
Squads Will be Announced Soon…@imlt20official pic.twitter.com/VOKWLqFukj
— 𝑺𝒉𝒆𝒃𝒂𝒔 (@Shebas_10dulkar) October 8, 2024
Echoing similar sentiments, West Indies captain Brian Lara said, “It’s going to be amazing to step back onto the field with such a talented group of players. The format is fast, exciting, and competitive—just what the fans want.”
Eoin Morgan of England and Jacques Kallis of South Africa also emphasized the significance of playing alongside and against fellow legends, highlighting how the IML combines nostalgia with top-tier competition.
Australia’s Shane Watson added, “It’s incredible to see so many legends of the game coming together in one league. I’m excited to lead Australia and will hopefully deliver some top-notch cricket for the fans.”
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League Commissioner Sunil Gavaskar expressed confidence in the quality of the competition, stating, “For them, it is a wonderful opportunity to showcase their skills. These guys don’t know what it is to take it easy. It is going to be an exciting league, with close contests. Fans are in for a treat.”
With 18 action-packed matches, the International Masters League is set to be an unforgettable event, filled with the passion and skill of cricket’s greatest players.
The full fixture list for the International Masters League:
17-11-2024 Sun 7:30 PM Mumbai India v Sri Lanka
18-11-2024 Mon 7:30 PM Mumbai Australia v South Africa
19-11-2024 Tue 7:30 PM Mumbai Sri Lanka v England
20-11-2024 Wed 7:30 PM Mumbai West Indies v Australia
21-11-2024 Thu 7:30 PM Lucknow India v South Africa
23-11-2024 Sat 7:30 PM Lucknow South Africa v England
24-11-2024 Sun 7:30 PM Lucknow India v Australia
25-11-2024 Mon 7:30 PM Lucknow West Indies v Sri Lanka
26-11-2024 Tue 7:30 PM Lucknow England v Australia
27-11-2024 Wed 7:30 PM Lucknow West Indies v South Africa
28-11-2024 Thu 7:30 PM Raipur India v England
30-11-2024 Sat 7:30 PM Raipur Sri Lanka v England
01-12-2024 Sun 7:30 PM Raipur India v West Indies
02-12-2024 Mon 7:30 PM Raipur Sri Lanka v Australia
03-12-2024 Tue 7:30 PM Raipur West Indies v England
05-12-2024 Thu 7:30 PM Raipur Semi Final 1
06-12-2024 Fri 7:30 PM Raipur Semi Final 2
08-12-2024 Sun 7:30 PM Raipur Final
