Home
Sachin Tendulkar yet again turned back to clock and delivered a masterful knock in India Masters' losing cause against Australia Masters in the International Masters League T20 clash. The Master Blaster delighted a packed crowd with a vintage half-century, but his efforts were ultimately in vain as India Masters suffered a 95-run defeat to Australia Masters at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara. The match was a spectacle of high-octane cricket, featuring a destructive batting display from Australia's Shane Watson and Ben Dunk, which paved the way for their team's first victory in the International Masters League 2025.
Sachin Tendulkar's blistering fifty in vain as Australia Masters thrash India Masters by 95 runs
Tendulkar's innings evoked memories of his legendary 'Desert Storm' performance in Sharjah, as he launched a breathtaking assault, scoring 64 runs off just 33 balls. His elegant late cuts and powerful straight drives were reminiscent of his prime, as he fearlessly attacked the Australian bowlers. He reached his fifty in a mere 27 deliveries, igniting the crowd and giving India Masters a promising start to their run chase.
Even as wickets fell around him, Sachin Tendulkar waged a valiant solo effort, thrilling the enthusiastic crowd with four sixes and seven fours. He single-handedly propelled India Masters to 100/3 midway through their innings, but the excitement was cut short when Xavier Doherty took a crucial catch off Daniel Christian to dismiss Tendulkar. Yusuf Pathan briefly reignited hopes with a rapid 25 off 15 balls, aiming to secure India Masters' fourth consecutive victory. However, with the required run rate escalating and the remaining batsmen needing to score aggressively from the outset, the task proved too daunting, resulting in India Masters' first loss of the tournament. Australia Masters' left-arm spinner, Xavier Doherty, was the standout performer with figures of 5/25, achieving the tournament's first five-wicket haul.
Earlier in the match, Ben Dunk (132) and Shane Watson (110) turned back the clock with a spectacular unbeaten 236-run partnership, a record for the highest second-wicket partnership in T20 cricket. This partnership propelled Australia Masters to a formidable total of 269/1. Watson, who was dropped early in his innings, capitalized on the reprieve, scoring his second century of the tournament. Shortly after, Dunk also reached his century, further compounding India Masters' woes.
The match between India Masters and Australia Masters was a thrilling affair, packed with high-intensity action. Shaun Marsh began the innings with a flurry of boundaries off Vinay Kumar, quickly followed by Shane Watson's fortunate escape when he was dropped. The Australian openers capitalized on the powerplay restrictions, racing to 28 runs in the first three overs. However, the introduction of leg-spinner Rahul Sharma managed to stem the flow of runs.
Sharma, fresh from his hat-trick in the previous match, effectively tied down the Australian batsmen, creating pressure that led to Pawan Negi's breakthrough wicket. Dunk, coming in at number three, immediately made his presence felt with a towering six, and he and Watson proceeded to unleash a punishing assault on the India Masters' bowling attack. Dunk quickly took the initiative, outscoring his captain and reaching a rapid half-century off just 23 balls. Meanwhile, Watson, initially playing a more subdued role, shifted gears, launching consecutive sixes off Sharma to reach his own fifty from 29 deliveries.
The Australian pair of Shane Watson and Ben Dunk delivered a nostalgic performance, reminiscent of their prime, dominating the India Masters' bowling attack with a barrage of boundaries and sixes. Their second-wicket partnership flourished rapidly, surpassing a hundred runs in just eight overs. Watson reached his century in 47 balls, and Dunk followed suit, blasting a 43-ball century, the fastest in the tournament.
The Australian batsmen remained unbeaten at the end of their innings, having inflicted significant damage. Watson concluded with a 52-ball 110, featuring 12 fours and seven sixes, while Dunk contributed a brutal 53-ball 132, which included 12 fours and 10 towering sixes. Their explosive batting display propelled Australia Masters to a formidable total which India Masters failed to chase down in the end.
MORE ON SPORTS TAK:
