In the International Masters League T20 2025 matches, veteran players are often seen sharing a light-hearted moment on the field appreciating each other. But, in the final between Indian Masters and West Indies Masters on March 16, tempers flared as Yuvraj Singh and Tino Best were involved in a heated exchange.
The incident took place after the 13th over of the innings. While Yuvraj and Best were having an argument, West Indies Masters captain Brian Lara and Ambati Rayudu tried to prevent the matter from escalating. While the altercation reminded everyone of Yuvraj's verbal spat with England's Andrew Flintoff in T20 World Cup 2007, the southpaw did not go on a six-hitting spree as India were cruising towards the target.
Comprehensive win for India
The verbal exchange continued between the two before Yuvraj shared a laugh with Best in between overs. Yuvraj remained unbeaten for 13 runs from 11 deliveries. Stuart Binny ruled out any possibility of West Indies' comeback with two sixes off Suliemann Benn.
Earlier, in the run chase of 149, Rayudu and captain Sachin Tendulkar got India off to a blazing start. Tendulkar used the pace of the bowlers and hit two fours and a six to get the crowd on their feet. Best got the wicket of Tendulkar in the eighth over. Rayudu was in sublime touch as he hit nine fours and three sixes in his match-winning 50-ball 74. India won the game by six wickets with 17 balls to spare.
With the ball, left-arm spinner Shahbaz Nadeem was exceptional as he conceded 12 runs from his quota of four overs including a maiden and took two wickets. Vinay Kumar was impressive as well taking three wickets for 26 runs. Dwayne Smith scored 45 runs from 35 deliveries whereas Lendl Simmons scored a half-century (57 runs from 41 balls) which went in vain.
Top run-scorers of the tournament
Simmons was the second-highest run-scorer in the tournament after Australia's Shane Watson. Simmons scored 351 runs from six innings averaging 87.75. For India, Rayudu was the top-run scorer with 188 runs, closely followed by Tendulkar (181 runs), Yuvraj (179 runs) and Gurkeerat Singh Mann (173 runs).