Sachin Tendulkar Recreates His Iconic Upper Cut Against Jerome Taylor In IML 2025 Final

Cricket fans worldwide were treated to a moment of sheer nostalgia and brilliance on March 16, 2025, when Sachin Tendulkar, the legendary “Master Blaster,” rolled back the years with his signature upper-cut shot in the final of the International Masters League (IML T20) 2025. The shot, played with impeccable timing and precision, instantly reminded fans of his legendary upper cut against Shoaib Akhtar in the 2003 World Cup, one of the most iconic moments in cricketing history.

Tendulkar’s magical stroke came during India Masters’ chase against West Indies Masters at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur. The crowd erupted in joy as they witnessed the 51-year-old maestro executing a stroke that had defined his illustrious career.

While Tendulkar’s shot stole the spotlight, it was Ambati Rayudu who played the match-winning knock, ensuring India Masters’ comfortable victory. Let’s take a closer look at how the IML T20 2025 final unfolded, featuring some of the biggest legends of the game.

West Indies Masters Struggle Despite Lendl Simmons’ Gritty Knock

Winning the toss, West Indies Masters elected to bat first—a decision that quickly backfired as Indian bowlers made early inroads into their batting lineup.

Brian Lara, the legendary West Indian batter, was dismissed cheaply for just six runs, much to the disappointment of the fans who were eager to see a vintage Lara masterclass.
William Perkins, another promising batter, failed to contribute significantly and fell for just six runs as well.

With two early wickets down, the onus was on Dwayne Smith and Lendl Simmons to resurrect the innings.

Dwayne Smith’s Counterattack

Dwayne Smith, known for his aggressive batting style, took matters into his own hands and played a quickfire knock of 45 off 35 balls. He smashed some beautiful boundaries, but just when he looked set to accelerate further, Shahbaz Nadeem dismissed him with a well-executed delivery.

Lendl Simmons’ Lone Battle

Lendl Simmons played a resilient knock of 57 off 41 balls, holding the innings together when wickets kept tumbling at the other end. However, his efforts were not enough to propel West Indies to a formidable total.

With Vinay Kumar leading the bowling attack and finishing with impressive figures of 3/26, the Indian bowlers restricted West Indies Masters to 148/7 in 20 overs.

Bowling Performances: India Masters Shine with the Ball

Vinay Kumar: 3/26 (4 overs)
Shahbaz Nadeem: 2/25 (4 overs)
Pawan Negi: 1/24 (4 overs)

It was a disciplined effort from India Masters, ensuring that the West Indies Masters could not breach the 150-run mark, setting up a chaseable target.

Sachin Tendulkar’s Upper Cut Against Jerome Taylor – A Throwback to Glory Days

With 149 runs to chase, India Masters opened their innings with Sachin Tendulkar and Ambati Rayudu, both of whom provided a solid start.

The Magical Moment – Tendulkar’s Upper Cut

The most unforgettable moment of the match arrived in the sixth over when Jerome Taylor bowled a short-pitched delivery outside off-stump. Tendulkar, known for his exceptional hand-eye coordination, waited for the ball to rise before effortlessly executing an upper cut that sailed over the third-man boundary for six.

For a brief moment, it felt like the clock had turned back to 2003, when Tendulkar played a similar upper cut against Shoaib Akhtar in Centurion during the ICC Cricket World Cup. The crowd in Raipur erupted in thunderous applause, and social media was flooded with nostalgic reactions.

Cricket pundits marveled at how Tendulkar, at 51 years old, could still replicate such magic on the field.
Fans instantly compared it to his 2003 World Cup shot, with many calling it a “goosebumps moment.”

Sachin’s Short Yet Impactful Knock

Tendulkar continued his fluent stroke play, scoring 25 runs off 18 balls, before he was dismissed. Though his innings was brief, it was enough to inspire India Masters’ chase and lift the spirits of the fans.

Ambati Rayudu Steals the Show with a Match-Winning Knock

After Tendulkar’s dismissal, it was Ambati Rayudu who took center stage, playing a brilliant knock of 74 off just 50 balls.

Rayudu’s Dominance

9 fours and 3 sixes – Rayudu kept the scoreboard ticking with his aggressive yet calculated approach.
He rotated the strike well, ensuring that India never lost momentum in the chase.

Even though Yusuf Pathan was dismissed for a duck, India never lost control of the game.

Stuart Binny and Yuvraj Singh Finish the Job

With India Masters needing 16 runs off the last three overs, Stuart Binny (16) and Yuvraj Singh (13)** finished the chase with ease.

Binny’s two towering sixes put the finishing touches on the chase.
India Masters reached the target in the 18th over, securing a comprehensive victory.

Key Takeaways from India Masters’ Victory

1. Tendulkar’s Timeless Brilliance

Even at 51 years old, Tendulkar proved that class is permanent. His upper cut was not just a cricketing shot—it was a tribute to his own legendary career.

2. Rayudu’s Match-Winning Knock

Rayudu showed why he is still a force to be reckoned with, proving to be the most impactful player of the final.

3. Bowlers Set the Foundation

India Masters’ bowlers, led by Vinay Kumar and Shahbaz Nadeem, ensured that the West Indies Masters never got away with the game.

Final Match Summary: IML T20 2025 Final

West Indies Masters: 148/7 in 20 overs

Lendl Simmons: 57 (41)
Dwayne Smith: 45 (35)
Vinay Kumar: 3/26 (4)
Shahbaz Nadeem: 2/25 (4)

India Masters: 149/4 in 18 overs

Ambati Rayudu: 74* (50)
Sachin Tendulkar: 25 (18)
Stuart Binny: 16* (9)
Yuvraj Singh: 13* (10)

India Masters won by 6 wickets

A Night to Remember for Cricket Fans

The IML T20 2025 final was more than just a cricket match—it was a celebration of nostalgia, passion, and the love for the game.

Why This Match Was Special:

✔️ Tendulkar’s unforgettable upper cut – a throwback to 2003.
✔️ A dominant performance from India Masters, led by Rayudu.
✔️ West Indies Masters’ spirited fight, led by Lendl Simmons.

With legends of the game proving they still have the spark, the IML T20 2025 final will be remembered as one of the most thrilling contests in recent times.

What’s next for these legends? While the future remains uncertain, one thing is sure—whenever Sachin Tendulkar steps onto the field, magic happens.

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