The India Masters vs Australia Masters semifinal at IML 2025 was nothing short of a cricketing spectacle. Shahbaz Nadeem’s magical four-wicket haul and a vintage Yuvraj Singh blitzkrieg powered India Masters to a commanding 94-run win over Australia Masters at Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium, Raipur. With this emphatic victory, Sachin Tendulkar’s squad marches into the final, where they will take on either Sri Lanka Masters or West Indies Masters.
Let’s relive the thrilling moments that shaped this encounter.
India Masters’ Batting: Vintage Fireworks on Display
After being put into bat, India Masters posted an imposing 220/7 in their 20 overs. While the innings started on a shaky note with Ambati Rayudu dismissed early, the ever-reliable Sachin Tendulkar took charge.
Key Batting Highlights:
- Sachin Tendulkar (42 off 30 balls)
- Showcased glimpses of his golden years, stroking elegant boundaries before falling to Ben Hilfenhaus while attempting a paddle-sweep.
- Yuvraj Singh (59 off 30 balls, 7 sixes)
- Vintage Yuvi! The southpaw launched a breathtaking assault, dispatching spinners over deep mid-wicket with ease. His partnership with Tendulkar (47-run stand) set the tone for India’s massive total.
- Stuart Binny (36 off 21 balls) & Yusuf Pathan (23 off 10 balls)
- Kept the momentum going in the death overs with their power-hitting antics.
India’s batting lineup looked unstoppable, leaving the Aussies clueless as runs flowed freely.
Australia Masters’ Bowling Struggles
Despite early success with Rayudu’s wicket, the Australian bowlers struggled to contain India’s aggressive approach.
Notable Bowling Performances:
- Xavier Doherty (2/34) – Managed to break partnerships but couldn’t halt the run flow.
- Ben Hilfenhaus (1/40) – Got rid of Sachin but leaked runs at the backend.
- Steve O’Keefe (1/27) – Picked up Rayudu’s wicket early but had no answers to Yuvraj’s onslaught.
With 220 runs to chase, Australia had a daunting task ahead.
Australia Masters’ Chase: A Nightmare Against Nadeem’s Spin Web
Chasing 221, Australia Masters crumbled under pressure, folding for just 126 in 18.3 overs. The Indian bowlers, led by the sensational Shahbaz Nadeem (4/19), dismantled the Aussie batting lineup with precision and control.
Key Bowling Highlights:
- Vinay Kumar (2/25) – Struck early, removing Shane Watson and Shaun Marsh to put Australia on the back foot.
- Shahbaz Nadeem (4/19) – The real star! His stump-to-stump accuracy and sharp turn ran through Australia’s middle order.
- Irfan Pathan (2/18) – Cleaned up the tail, ensuring no late fightback.
Australia’s Brief Resistance:
- Ben Cutting (39 off 30 balls) – Showed some fight, hitting a few big shots, but lacked support from the other end.
- Nathan Reardon (22 off 18 balls) – Tried to hold the innings together but was undone by Nadeem’s brilliance.
Eventually, India wrapped up the innings in the 19th over, sealing a massive 94-run win and a ticket to the IML 2025 Final.
Match Summary: IND-M vs AUS-M
| Category | India Masters | Australia Masters |
|---|---|---|
| Total Runs | 220/7 (20 overs) | 126 all out (18.3 overs) |
| Top Scorer | Yuvraj Singh (59) | Ben Cutting (39) |
| Best Bowler | Shahbaz Nadeem (4/19) | Vinay Kumar (2/25) |
| Result | India Masters won by 94 runs | – |
Key Takeaways from India Masters vs Australia Masters
- Yuvraj Singh is STILL a match-winner – His effortless six-hitting spree reminded everyone why he’s a T20 legend.
- Shahbaz Nadeem’s spin magic – His disciplined bowling proved to be too much for Australia’s veterans.
- Sachin Tendulkar still oozes class – The 42-run knock had glimpses of his golden era.
- India’s all-round depth is unmatched – Contributions from every department helped India dominate.
- Australia’s top-order collapse cost them – Losing Watson and Marsh early left them no chance of a comeback.
FAQs
India Masters won the IML 2025 semifinal against Australia Masters by 94 runs.
Yuvraj Singh smashed 59 off 30 balls, hitting 7 sixes.
Nadeem was the best bowler of the match, claiming 4 wickets for just 19 runs.
India Masters will face the winner of Sri Lanka Masters vs West Indies Masters.
Their top-order collapse and failure to counter Nadeem’s spin attack sealed their fate.
Conclusion: India Masters Storm into the IML 2025 Final
The India Masters vs Australia Masters semifinal was a cricketing masterclass. Sachin’s vintage shots, Yuvraj’s six-hitting fireworks, and Nadeem’s spin wizardry ensured India’s dominant 94-run victory.
With momentum on their side, can India Masters lift the IML 2025 trophy? Stay tuned for the grand finale!
